Sun Flower Steamboat
By Margaret Strebel Hartman
Deed Book M, page 405, recorded June 14, 1837
Alexandria Courthouse
On November 30, 1836, John W Leathers of Campbell County stood indebted to his father, John Leathers, of the same county in the sum of $5000 for money advanced to John W, so that he could build and construct the steamboat Sun Flower which was about to leave "this port for the Southern trade." John W was "desirous to secure and endemnify" his father in the money, so he mortgaged to him the undivided half of the steamboat "with all and singular her apparattus, Engine, furniture and other belonging to said boat..."
The deed was sealed and delivered in the presence of W W Southgate and M V Grant.