Pocket Book of Cash Expenses, October, 1774 - May, 1775 [Washington]

George Washington called this small, leather-bound book a "pocket day book." He used it to record small personal expenditures and receipts of cash. It also includes some entries documenting the larger business of his plantation, such as hiring. Washington later transferred most of the entries in these volumes to his ledger and account books. The blank pages that appear are blotter pages.

This pocket book begins on October 26, 1774, the last day of the First Continental Congress, which began meeting in Philadelphia in September. The first page of this book is headed "Expences at Philadelphia Contd," and includes the last of his expenses in Philadelphia and those for his trip home. It picks up from a pocket book that the Library of Congress does not have, which presumably includes the bulk of his expenses at the First Continental Congress.

There are 68 pages.

Washington, George. George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers: Pocket Book of Cash Expenses, October, 1774 - May, 1775. 10-/05-1775, 1774. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mgw500015/. (Accessed February 16, 2017.)

Source/Repository: 

Library of Congress Title (Legacy): 

Cash Memorandum Book, 1774 - 1775

Transcription Available: 

No