What George Washington Can Teach Today’s Farmers About Recordkeeping

In light of the special Independence Day holiday and remembering the founding fathers, there are many attributes from them that can be appreciated. It is well known that many of the founding fathers had backgrounds in agriculture. Ben Franklin and James Madison were proponents of sustainable farming. Thomas Jefferson had a penchant for plants and scientific experimentation. George Washington dabbled in all of those but was also known to be a meticulous keeper of records.

Due to these records and historical preservation efforts, we catch a glimpse of Washington’s efforts in farm management. The digital technologies we enjoy today did not exist, so the entirety of his records were kept by hand. The day-to-day activities often got recorded in “waste books, pocketbooks, day books or memorandum books,” not unlike a typical pocket notebook farmers may utilize today. Later, the notes from these books would make it into a more formal recording known as a “journal of accounts.” If enterprises became large or complex enough, there were ledgers of accounts and even an accountant to handle these tasks. Washington, however, recorded all the transactions himself. He did so by following accounting manuals, such as John Mair’s Book-Keeping Methodiz’d.

While referring to his records and correspondence, Washington noted that after dinner, “I resolve … [to] retire to my writing Table and acknowledge the letters I have received; but when the lights are brought, I feel tired, and disinclined to engage in this work, conceiving that the next night will do as well; the next comes, and with it the same causes for postponement, & effect; and so on.” A sentiment that perhaps many a farmer can understand. However, it is evident Washington was a prolific bookkeeper, as he had desks and bookcases made to accommodate all his records.

Washington’s records were thorough, as evidenced by the number of documents still available today. The entries were detailed with many notes found on the pages. There are some fascinating documentation efforts through George Washington’s estate, Mount Vernon. These include the “Washington as Bookkeeper” article and The George Washington Financial Papers Project used as references for this article. That Washington continued to keep his own books and records for his businesses when almost certainly later in life he could have had someone handle these tasks indicates the level of importance Washington placed on the contents.

Washington made comments throughout his decorated career on desiring to return to Mount Vernon, “I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” That Washington desired to relinquish his political power and return to humbler occupations is one reason we admire him today. To think that he would spend a considerable portion of his time recording day-to-day activities at Mount Vernon seems almost unfathomable. Let us admire his commitment and that we can benefit from his example and records today.