In a Previously Unknown Document, George Washington Pays for the Production of Supplies at Mount Vernon in 1768

In 1768, years before the outbreak of war with Britain, George Washington was a gentleman farmer at Mount Vernon, his home from 1754 until his death, which is still an institution devoted to his legacy.  He planted tobacco, wheat and hemp, and experimented with new crops to make the estate profitable. Washington, married in 1759 to Martha Custis, worked hard to diversify the plantation.This included spinning and weaving of rope and twine from hemp, which he grew but required labor to prepare for market.

This moment in Washington's career predates his service as public servant, and testifies to a life to which he longed to return after his Presidency: that of citizen farmer.  Even today, we think of General Washington's decision to leave office and return to a life on the farm as symbolic of a public servant's retirement. Washington's nickname of the American Cincinnatus makes this same point, as the ancient Roman farmer and consul Cincinnatus put aside power in the same way.  It would not be until 1769 that Washington waded into the political waters, advocating legislation to ban the importation of goods from Britain.

Running Mount Vernon required the capacity to run a large business, since he was obligated to pay workers, manage labor, grow crops, sell them, and, in some cases, to sell the raw materials and then buy them back as finished products.  In 1767, Washington hired William Skilling, a laborer, to perform work around Mount Vernon.  He also hired Jonathan Snowden to create twine and nets from one of his main crops, hemp.

Autograph document signed, in the third person, from Mount Vernon, VA, his home, June 20, 1768, being Washington's own retained copy and bearing his docket.  It begins with a list of work and compensation amount in another hand.

"1766 – To work dun two days and half – £0..6..3 —— 0.6.3
1767 – To two days work 5/0 —— 0..5..0
To dressing hemp and spinning 77 ft of twine at 1/3: 4..16..3
To making 80 fathom of seine @ 0/9 per fathom – 3..0..0"
The total owed by Washington is 8.7.6".

Below that Washington writes:  

"Overcharged in dressing and spinning of hemp…. 0.16.3", revising the total to  7.11.3; then he subtracts 2.3.0 for "86 ft Hemp," which he sells to Snowden for a revised total of 5.8.3.  He carries that over to the verso and adds back in money owed for a total of 7.7.3.  This he pays to Snowden in this receipt.

"Received June 20th, 1768, the above sum of seven pounds seven shillings and three pence of George Washington."  Snowden has signed with his mark, as he was evidently illiterate.  William Skilling has also signed as witness.

On the side, Washington has written as his docket, "Jonathan Snowden's receipt. Balance received £7.7.3.  20th June 1768."

This is an unpublished financial document of Washington, one that shows the workings of Washington's farm and financial operation.