IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING ROW BOATS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, Patent Agent, of 38, Southampton
Buildings, London, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS
FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING ROW BOATS." A communication from abroad
by Michael F. Davis, of Portland, Maine, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th August 1880.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, Patent Agent, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING Row
BOATS." [A communication from abroad by Michael F. Davis, of Portland, Maine,
United States of America.]
This Invention of improvements in the apparatus for propelling and steering
row boats relates to the oars, the rowlocks, and the foot board, so as to enable a
single rower to better utilize his force, and, at the same time give him control of
the steering apparatus or rudder.
In rowing a man only exerts a certain amount of force. Whatever part of that
force is expended otherwise than in propelling the boat is lost, whether in raising
or lowering the oar, in holding it in proper position, in feathering or rotating, or lost
motion in the rowlock, and by so much the speed of the boat is diminished.
The object of the Invention is to secure the best result as above indicated by
contriving that the oar assumes and maintains its various positions without the
direct force of the oarsman.
In the Drawings, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A represents the loom of the oar, or the
part of it between the blade B and handle C. This blade B has the shape or form
shown in Figure 1. The lower edge a of this blade describes a convex curved line
forming a segment lying below the longitudinal axial line of the loom, and extending
from the loom at b to the angle c at the opposite end of the blade, the said 'two
points being in such axial line. The upper edge of said blade extends in a line
with the upper face of the loom to the angle d, then bends upward at that angle and
extends on a straight line to e', the outer upper angle of the blade. The face of
the blade is preferably dishing or concave with a slight twist, as seen in Figure 2.

page_text: The curvature forming the concave is forward of the plane of the face of the loom
on the side opposite the face of the blade, as is also shown in Figure 2. The angle
which the line d, e, forms with the axis of the loom, is such as to bring the said
line (or top edge of the oar) parallel with the surface of the water when the blade is
dipped into it to give.the stroke. The face of the blade, otherwise plain and without
a central rib, is slightly twisted to the right, and so formed that a line drawn across
it at or near its longitudinal centre, as at y, y, is vertical to the plane of the base or
bottom face of the rowlock. The back face of the blade is parallel or nearly so to the
front of the face. The curved shape of the lower edge of the blade enables it to enter
the water with the least possible resistance, and the concave and twisted curvature
of its face enables it to take and retain hold of the water, so that slipping and
splashing at the end of the stroke will in great measure be obviated. Also there
is a greater return at the end of the stroke for the power expended in rowing, since
the widest part of the oar then comes into a position nearer a right angle to the
boat than the point of the blade. Also at the end of the stroke the water will run
off in a sheet toward the outer end of the curvature, thereby saving the oarsman's
. power. Also there is a further saving of his power as well as time, since the line in
raising and lowering the oar is shortened at least six inches, say, three down into
the water, and three in taking the oar out. By this style of scull the oarsman can
row in a depth of six inches of water, while with the best known style now in use,
nine inches of water are required. It must also be noted that the curvature of the
lower part of the blade will enable the oar when used in shore water to slide upen
or over any obstacle that may be encountered in the stroke, and thus obviate in a
peculiar degree accident or breakage.
The loom of the oar has its largest diameter at that portion which is to occupy
the rowlock, and which may be called its transverse axis, represented in the
Drawing between g, g', and now designated by letter D From this part the loom
tapers to the blade B and to the handle C. The taper however is so formed as to
leave the loom straight from the handle to the blade on the side in line with the
face of the blade, as shown in Figure 2. The object in this is twofold:-1st, it
renders the loom of the oar less flexible to resist the bending force of the stroke,
the side opposite the face of the blade having the form of a double brace; and 2nd,
it causes the rocking of the oar in the lock in feathering itself to lift the blade from
the water, thus requiring less vertical movement of the handle in feathering than
would be necessary if the taper were uniform around the loom.
The perimeter of the part D has the peculiar form shown in Figures 3 and 4,
and is in general pentagonal. The side opposite the face of the blade is flat, as
from 1 to h¹. This flat face lies against the fulcrum upright h² of the rowlock, see
Figure 3, while the stroke is being given, and will manifestly tend to obviate the
rocking or rotating of the oar, and hold it steady in the proper position during the
stroke without any direct effort on part of the oarsman to this end. When
the stroke is completed and the feathering commences, the oar is to be rocked over
towards the oarsman into the position shown in Figure 4, with the flat face h, h',
turned down upon the bottom of the rowlock. Now it is desirable in rowing there
shall be as little lost motion between the oar and rowlock as possible, as with lost
motion there is necessarily more or less of a shock, since the oar strikes the sides of
the lock which has a disturbing and depressing influence upon the nerves of the
oarsman, strained as they are to their utmost. tension in match rowing. By the.
form shown, all lost motion and consequent shock or jar is prevented.
The diameter of D' on line i, i, is equal to the width of the space between
the upright h2, h3, of the rowlock, and the diameter on line j, j¹, about equal to the
space between the base *, the cross bar 5 of the rowlock. From between / and i,
and hand, the surface is curved so as to form segments of a circle drawn from
different centres; and from i to g', and i to j¹, the surface forms longer segments of
circles, the shape and proportions being such that when the oar is rocked in its
seat in feathering, the angle i slides along the bottom of the lock, and up the face
of the upright ³, while the angle h will slide down the face of h², the surface from

page_text: ¹to bearing meantime against ³, and the surface j¹ to ¹ bearing against the
cross bar h. When the blade has been lifted entirely out of the water, the oar
will be rocked so as to bring the flat surface h, h¹, down upon the bottom of the
lock, when the diameter i, i¹, will fill the space between h² and h³, so that the
entire backward movement of the oar is made without lost motion of the oar in
the row-lock.
The part D is covered with a thick strong leather envelope , which preferably
extends entirely around it. This forms a firm but slightly elastic cushion, which
receives all jar or shock in case there should be any movement whatever of the oar
in the rowlock, and retains the lubricator and renders the action of the oar in the
rowlock more agreeable and pleasant to the oarsman.
The button E is preferably made of thick belting leather. It preferably extends
entirely around the oar and is secured to the flange f of the metal sleeve F which
is made fast to the oar. If desired, the mere form of the sleeve. and its flange can
be changed, or in its stead pieces of wood or metal can be used, as will be manifest;
the button when thus extending around the oar performs an important function
in connection with the movements of the oar in the row lock, as before mentioned;
also the button should thus extend around in order to enable such movements to
be easily and conveniently performed.
The handle C is off set from the longitudinal axis of the loom, as seen at c, the
off set being usually to the extent of about the diameter of the loom at the handle.
This off set performs a special and important function. From the peculiar form of
the blade and its relation to the loom of the oar when the stroke is given, there
will be some tendency in the oar to rock in its scat in the row lock over towards
the oarsmen, which if not otherwise counteracted the oarsman will have to exert
some force to prevent. This results from the fact that the longer portion of the
outer end of the blade is above the longitudinal axial line of the oar loom. To
counteract this tendency to rotate therefore the handle is offset, and this off set
will enable the oarsman to pull to better advantage and to feather and recover on
the return; this will be found of specially very large advantage in rowing in
rough water. It must also be noted that with the handle thus made there will be
found a double offset, so to speak, namely, one to the axial line of the oar as it is
placed in the water, see Figure 1, and the other to the axial line of the oar in the
recovering, or as being taken from the water, as is shown in Figure 2. In
proportion as the width of the curved part of the blade increases from the axial line
downward the need for an offset becomes less, as in the case of an oar, but the
other offset, that for the feather or recover, remains the same in sculls and oars.
The length of the offset should be greater or less in proportion to the surface
of that part of the blade that extends above the longitudinal axial line of the loom
as compared with that part of the outer half which is below such axial line.
The stay G, which may be a strong steel wire or strap, is secured on the face
side of the oar at either end of the loom at or near its ends and running over
intermediate braces m, m². This stay serves to strengthen the loom and prevent its
springing in rowing. Sometimes it may be of advantage to have the blade straight
instead of curving, and it will of course be obvious that in many other minor
details this Invention can be changed without in any essential degree departing
from the nature and scope of the Invention.
The rower at the same time guides the boat by his foot, the apparatus being
shown, Figures 7, 8, 9.
The foot board A is adapted in form to the sole of the foot of the oarsman and
is made of any proper material, preferably wood. It is pivotted at the heel a to
a base board B so that it may swing freely on its pivot; the portion b against
which the toes are to rest is turned upward at an angle of about 45°; c is a piece
which is made of a metal frame securely fixed to the foot board A and covered
with leather, and is so constructed as to embrace and confine the heel of the
user.
The broad straps or pieces d, d, are so secured to the board that they may be

page_text: laced on the foot just over the bend of the toes, leaving the instep free so as not
to impede the circulation; C is a toe piece made of a metal frame covered with
leather, preferably stayed by a wire running around its edge. It is hinged to
ears e by arms e¹ that extend, one on each side, from its rear end, the cars being
secured to the board near its forward end; D is a rod hinged at its upper end to
the front end of the toe piece, and at its lower end to a spring catch E that is
secured to the foot board A; F is an upwardly projecting curved rib secured to the
base board B and provided with a series of notches i with which the catch E
engages. The tiller ropes f, f, are secured to the foot board A near its forward
end, one on each side; G is a curved groove in the face of the base board B. A
curved plate G caps this groove, leaving a narrow curved slot into which projects
from the foot board an arm g, that is bent so as to lock under the plate G¹. This
prevents the raising of the foot board off the base board, while it permits a free
lateral movement on the pivot at the heel.
This foot board is designed to be placed in a row boat in position to enable the
oarsman to conveniently insert his foot within the heel piece and straps; one for
each foot may be provided. A tiller rope or wire may run from the rubber along
each side of the boat to the foot board through suitable pullies or eyes.
In operating the apparatus, above described, the user raises with his toe or toes
the piece C which lifts the spring catch out of the notch in the rib F, and then
swings the foot board on its pivot to the right or left as he may desire, thereby
steering his boat by merely swinging his foot on his heel.
The foot board serves the purpose of a convenient and easy foot rest for the
oarsman, while at the same time it is made to perform the office of a steering
apparatus. It is peculiar in construction in having the forward end upon which
the toes rest turned up at an angle of about 45°, and while the heel is confined
in a suitable heel piece lacing straps enclose the foot just at the bend of the foot
between the toes and instep, leaving the instep free and unconfined.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
February 1881.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, Patent Agent, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING ROW
BOATS." A communication from abroad by Michael F. Davis, of Portland, Maine,
United States of America.
This Invention of improvements in the apparatus for propelling and steering row
boats relates to the oars, the rowlocks, and the footboard, so as to enable a single
rower to better utilize his force, and at the same time give him control of the
steering apparatus or rudder.
In rowing a man only exerts a certain amount of force; whatever part of that
force is expended otherwise than in propelling the boat is lost, whether in raising
or lowering the oar, in holding it in proper position, in feathering or rotating, or
lost motion in the rowlock, and by so much the speed of the boat is diminished.
The object of the Invention is to secure the best result as above indicated by
contriving that the oar assumes and maintains its various positions without the
direct force of the oarsman.
In the Drawings, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A. represents the loom of the oar or the
part of it between the blade B and handle C. This blade B has the shape or form
shown in Figure 1. The lower edge a of this blade describes a convex curved line
forming a segment lying below the longitudinal axial line of the loom, and
extending from the loom at b to the angle c at the opposite end of the blade, the
said two points being in such axial line. The upper edge of said blade extends in a
line with the upper face of the loom to the angle d, then bends upward at that
angle and extends on a straight line to e¹ the outer upper angle of the blade. The
face of the blade is preferably dishing or concave with a slight twist, as seen in
Figure 2. The curvature forming the concave is forward of the plane of the face of
the loom on the side opposite the face of the blade, as is also shown in Figure 2.
The angle which the line d, e', forms with the axis of the loom is such as to bring
the said line (or top edge of the oar) parallel with the surface of the water when
the blade is dipped into it to give the stroke. The face of the blade, otherwise
plain and without a central rib, is slightly twisted to the right, and so formed that
a line drawn across it at or near its longitudinal centre, as at y, y, is vertical to the
plane of the base or bottom face of the rowlock. The back face of the blade is
parallel or nearly so to the front of the face. The curved shape of the lower
edge of the blade enables it to enter the water with the least possible resistance,
and the concave and twisted curvature of its face enables it to take and retain hold
of the water, so that slipping and splashing at the end of the stroke will in great
measure be obviated. Also there is a greater return at the end of the stroke for
the power expended in rowing, since the widest part of the oar then comes into a
Also at the
position nearer a right angle to the boat than the point of the blade.
end of the stroke the water will run off in a sheet toward the outer end of the
curvature, thereby saving the oarsman's power. Also, there is a further saving of
his power as well as time, since the line in raising and lowering the oar is shortened
at least six inches, say, three down into the water, and three in taking the oar out.
By this style of scull the oarsman can row in a depth of six inches of water, while
with thej best known style now in use nine inches of water are required. It must
also be noted that the curvature of the lower part of the blade will enable the oar
when used in shore water to slide upon or over any obstacle that may be
encountered in the stroke, and thus obviate in a peculiar degree accident or
breakage.

page_text: The loom of the oar has its largest diameter at that portion which is to occupy
the rowlock, and which may be called its transverse axis, represented in the Drawing
between g, g', and now designated by letter D. From this part the loom tapers to
the blade B and to the handle C. The taper, however, is so formed as to leave the
loom straight from the handle to the blade on the side, in line with the face of the
blade, as shown in Figure 2. The object in this is twofold:-1st, it renders the
loom of the oar less flexible to resist the bending force of the stroke, the side
opposite the face of the blade having the form of a double brace; and, 2nd, it
causes the rocking of the oar in the lock in feathering itself to lift the blade from
the water, thus requiring less vertical movement of the handle in feathering than
would be necessary if the taper were uniform around the loom.
The perimeter of the part D has the peculiar form shown in Figures 3 and 4, and
is in general pentagonal. The side opposite the face of the blade is flat as
from hto h. This flat face lies against the fulcrum upright h² of the row-lock,
see Figure 3, while the stroke is being given, and will manifestly tend to obviate
the rocking or rotating of the oar, and hold it steady in the proper position during
the stroke without any direct effort on the part of the oarsman to this end. When the
stroke is completed and the feathering commences, the oar is to be rocked over
towards the oarsman into the position shown in Figure 4, with the flat face h, h',
turned down upon the bottom of the row-lock. Now it is desirable in rowing
there shall be as little lost motion between the oar and row-lock as possible, as with
lost motion there is necessarily more or less of a shock, since the oar strikes the sides
of the lock, which bas a disturbing and depressing influence upon the nerves of the
oarsman, strained as they are to their utmost tension in match rowing. By the
form shown all lost motion and consequent shock or jar is prevented.
The diameter of D₁ on line i, i¹, is equal to the width of the space between the
upright 2, 3, of the row-lock and the diameter on line j,j', about equal to the space
between the base ', the cross bar 5 of the row-lock. From between h and i, and
hand, the surface is curved so as to form segments of a circle drawn from
different centres, and from i to j', and i¹ to j¹, the surface forms longer segments of
circles, the shape and proportions being such that when the oar is rocked in its
seat in feathering the angle slides along the bottom of the lock and up the face
of the upright ³, while the angle h will slide down the face of ², the surface from
to h¹ bearing meantime against ³, and the surface j¹ to i¹ bearing against the
cross bar h
When the blade has been lifted entirely out of the water the oar will
be rocked so as to bring the flat surface h, h', down upon the bottom of the lock,
when the diameter i, ¹, will fill the space between 2 and 3, so that the entiro
backward movement of the oar is made without lost motion of the oar in the
row-lock.
The part D is covered with a thick strong leather envelope k, which preferably
extends entirely around it. This forms a firm but slightly clastic cushion, which
receives all jar or shock in case there should be any movement whatever of the oar
in the row-lock, and retains the lubricator and renders the action of the oar in the
row-lock more agreeable and pleasant to the oarsman.
The button E is preferably made of thick belting leather; it preferably extends
entirely around the oar, and is secured to the flange f of the metal sleeve F, which
is made fast to the oar. If desired the mere form of the sleeve and its flange can
be changed, or in its stead pieces of wood or metal can be used; as will be manifest
the button, when thus extending around the oar, performs an important function in
connection with the movements of the oar in the row-lock, as before mentioned.
Also the button should thus extend around in order to enable such movements to
be easily and conveniently performed.
The handle C is offset from the longitudinal axis of the loom, as seen at c, the
offset being usually to the extent of about the diameter of the loom at the handle.
This offset performs a special and important function. From the peculiar form of
the blade, and its relation to the loom of the oar when the stroke is given, there
will be some tendency in the oar to rock in its seat in the rowlock over towards

page_text: To
the oarsman, which, if not otherwise counteracted, the oarsman will have to exert
some force to prevent. This results from the fact that the longer portion of the
outer end of the blade is above the longitudinal axial line of the oar loom.
counteract this tendency to rotate therefore the handle is offset, and this offset will
enable the oarsman to pull to better advantage and to feather and recover on the
return this will be found of specially very large advantage in rowing in rough
water. It must also be noted that with the handle thus made there will be found
a double offset, so to speak, namely, one to the axial line of the oar as it is placed
in the water, see Figure 1, and the other to the axial line of the oar in the
recovering, or as being taken from the water, as is shown in Figure 2. In
proportion as the width of the curved part of the blade increases from the axial
line downward the need for an offset becomes less, as in the case of an oar,
but the other offset, that for the feather or recover, remains the same in sculls and
oars.
The length of the offset should be greater or less in proportion to the surface of
that part of the blade that extends above the longitudinal axial line of the loom
as compared with that part of the outer half which is below such axial line.
The stay G, which may be a strong steel wire or strap, is secured on the face
side of the oar at either end of the loom at or near its ends, and running over
intermediate braces m, m¹. This stay serves to strengthen the loom and prevent
its springing in rowing. Sometimes it may be of advantage to have the blade
straight instead of curving, and it will, of course, be obvious that in many other
minor details this Invention can be changed without in any essential degree
departing from the nature and scope of the Invention.
The rower at the same time guides the boat by his foot, the apparatus being
shown, Figures 7, 8, 9.
The foot board A is adapted in form to the sole of the foot of the oarsman, and
is made of any proper material, preferably wood. It is pivoted at the heel a to a
base board B, so that it may swing freely on its pivot. The portion b, against which
the toes are to rest, is turned upward at an angle of about 45°; c is a piece which
is made of a metal frame securely fixed to the foot board A, and covered with
leather, and is so constructed as to embrace and confine the heel of the user.
The broad straps or pieces d, d', are so secured to the board that they may be
laced on the foot just over the bend of the tocs, leaving the instep free, so as not to
impede the circulation; C is a toe piece made of a metal frame covered with leather,
preferably stayed by a wire running around its edge; it is hinged to ears e by arms e¹
that extend one on each side from its rear end, the ears being secured to the board near
its forward end; D is a rod hinged at its upper end to the front end of the toe
piece, and at its lower end to a spring catch E that is secured to the foot board A;
F is an upwardly projecting curved rib secured to the base board B, and provided
with a series of notches i, with which the catch E engages. The tiller ropes f, f¹,
are secured to the foot board A near its forward end, one on each side; G is a
curved groove in the face of the base board B. A curved plate G¹ caps this groove,
leaving a narrow curved slot, into which projects from the foot board an arm that
is bent so as to lock under the plate G₁. This prevents the raising of the foot
board off the base board, while it permits a free lateral movement on the pivot at
the heel.
This foot board is designed to be placed in a row boat in position to enable the
oarsman to conveniently insert his foot within the heel piece and straps. One
for each foot may be provided. A tiller rope or wire may run from the rudder
along each side of the boat to the foot board through suitable pullies or eyes.
In operating the apparatus above described the user raises with his toe or toes
the piece C, which lifts the spring catch out of the notch in the rib F, and then
swings the foot board on its pivot to the right or left, as he may desire, thereby
steering his boat by merely swinging his foot on his heel.
The foot board serves the purpose of a convenient and easy foot rest for the
oarsinan, while at the same time it is made to perform the office of a steering

page_text: apparatus. It is peculiar in construction in having the forward end upon which the
toes rest turned up at an angle of about 45°, and while the heel is confined in a
suitable heel piece lacing straps enclose the foot just at the bend of the foot
between the toes and instep, leaving the instep free and unconfined.
The foot board can be adapted to the size of any foot by merely moving the
heel piece up or down, which is easily done by changing the location of the screw
holding the heel piece to the bottom of the foot board. It is evident that
instead of screws slides and clamps may be used if desired for this purpose.
In use it is designed to have in each shell or boat two of the foot boards above
described for each oarsman, but the steering gear or apparatus is attached to but
one, and for either foot desired.
When once the foot board is adjusted to the oarsman's foot by fixing the
position of the heel piece, and arranging the lacing over the bend of the foot, it
is permanently arranged for use, and will need no further manipulation.
In case of an overset of the boat or any accident the oarsman's foot can be
quickly and safely diengaged by merely raising the heel and drawing the foot out,
A foot board constructed as above described will obviate the use of shoes or
slippers for the oarsman, since the stocking foot, or even the bare foot, will very
comfortably fit into the foot board. By thus enabling the oarsman to dispense
with the weight of the shoes a very important advantage is secured, especially
when it is considered that the least decrease of weight is of importance..
Having thus described my Invention, what I consider new and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is,-
1st. An oar having that portion of its blade which is below the longitudinal
axial line of the loom curved, as between b and c, and the upper edge of which
forms an angle with said axis so as to bring said upper edge parallel, or nearly
parallel, with the water when the oar is dipped in the act of giving the stroke in
rowing, substantially as described.
2nd. An oar having the top. line of its blade inclined upward from at or near
the shank to its outer end, said top line being above the axial line of the loom, and
with its lower portion in curved or angled lines sweeping from the end of the blade
down and back to the shank, substantially as described.
3rd. An oar having that part of its blade above the axial line of the loom
generally triangular in shape, and that part below the said line generally curved,
substantially as described.
4th. An oar which, on the face side, is straight from end to end of the loom, and
on the other sides tapers each way from the transverse' axial portion D, which fits
in the row-lock, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5th. An oar, the portion D of which that fits in the row-lock is in transverse
section of a general pentagonal forin, as described, whereby the oar may be rocked
in the row-lock without lost motion between the oar and the row-lock, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
6th. An oar having a blade of the form shown and described, and having a
handle offset from the longitudinal axis of the loom, substantially as described.
7th. An oar having a button on or adjacent to the part which fits in the row-
lock, said button being stayed and supported by a separate flange, substantially as
described.
8th. An oar provided with a handle offset from the axial line of the oar,
substantially as described.
9th. An oar having a stay fixed near the shank at one end and near the handle
at the other end, and supported by suitable braces extending from the stay to the
oar, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
10th. In a row boat the combination of a swinging foot board, substantially as
described, with the steering apparatus, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
11th. A swinging foot board for a row boat having its front part turned up or
inclined, substantially as described.

page_text: 12th. A combined foot board and steering apparatus for row boats consisting of
the pivoted foot board A, provided with the swinging toe piece C connected to the
spring catch E, and a suitable stop with which said catch engages, substantially as
described.
13th. The combination with a row boat of a foot rest composed of the foot
board A having the point b turned up at an angle with the body of the board of
about 45°, and provided with the heel piece C and straps or pieces d, d¹, arranged
to lace over on the foot just across the bend of the foot between the instep and the
toes, substantially as described.
14th. The combination of a pivoted foot board provided with locking mechanism,
substantially as set forth, with the steering apparatus of a row boat, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
15th. In combination with the foot board and a row boat having its forward
end curved and provided with straps or pieces d, d', the adjustable heel piece C,
consisting of a frame suitably covered, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said. William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
W. MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)