How did Samuel Pepys keep records of naval contracts and official letters?

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Diarist Samuel Pepys — Samuel Pepys Samuel Pepys, oil painting by John Hayls, 1666; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Samuel Pepys maintained meticulous records of naval contracts and official letters by recording them in large vellum books. These books were beautifully ruled by his wife, Elizabeth Pepys, and her maids. This practice was part of his broader commitment to administrative efficiency and duty, which he adopted in 1662 to ensure he was fully equipped for his role in the Royal Navy.1