Contains accounts for the running of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, its constituent farms and businesses. Most of the entries are for his Cash Account, but there are also many accounts with individuals, and several stock purchases.

Ledger kept by Lawrence Lewis, a nephew of George Washington and one of the executors of his estate. The ledger records expenses paid by the estate, including "40 lbs of pound cake for the funeral of Gen. Washington at 3/6 per lb, £7-; Henry & Joseph Ingle, By making coffin, with silver plate engraved, $88; Margaret Gretter, By making a shroud, $6-. By do, a pall, $6-; (With Mrs. Martha Washington), To cash left by the Gen.l at his death, in the house, which you had the use of, $254.70; To making a suit mourning for Mr. Lear, £1.16."

Contains accounts for the running of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, its constituent farms and businesses. The entries are in Washington's hand through about 1775, after which the entries were made by another.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AN NPR CONCIERGE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR “In her form-shattering and myth-crushing book….Coe examines myths with mirth, and writes history with humor… [You Never Forget Your First] is an accessible look at a president who always finishes in the first ranks of our leaders.” —Boston Globe Alexis Coe takes a closer look at our first--and finds he is not quite the man we remember Young George Washington was raised by a struggling single mother, demanded military promotions, caused an international incident, and never backed down--even when his dysentery got so bad he had to ride with a cushion on his saddle. But after he married Martha, everything changed. Washington became the kind of man who named his dog Sweetlips and hated to leave home. He took up arms against the British only when there was no other way, though he lost more battles than he won. After an unlikely victory in the Revolutionary War cast him as the nation's hero, he was desperate to retire, but the founders pressured him into the presidency--twice. When he retired years later, no one talked him out of it. He left the highest office heartbroken over the partisan nightmare his backstabbing cabinet had created. Back on his plantation, the man who fought for liberty must confront his greatest hypocrisy--what to do with the men, women, and children he owns--before he succumbs to death. With irresistible style and warm humor, You Never Forget Your First combines rigorous research and lively storytelling that will have readers--including those who thought presidential biographies were just for dads--inhaling every page.

A journalist takes a close look at the Founding Father’s creative accounting skills in “a very funny book” (The New York Times Book Review). George Washington made a noble gesture of refusing payment for his services as commander in chief of the Continental Army—but as this book reveals, he also took it as an opportunity to indulge his insatiable lust for fine food and drink, extravagant clothing, and lavish accommodations. In a close analysis of the document that financed our Revolution, Marvin Kitman uncovers some surprising scandals and fascinating facts—and serves each up with verve and wit. “An intriguing network of historical detection.” —San Francisco Chronicle