George Washington’s physical strength and endurance are well documented in biographies of his time as a soldier. His vigorous physicality made the art of surveying a natural fit as an occupation.

Though he was not formally educated in schools, he was taught the basics of surveying and land measuring as a home-schooled youth. He began surveying by measuring land at Mount Vernon, and when he was only 16, he was invited to join a survey party to lay out lots in western Virginia.