Normally the corner keys are added at the time of framing !! But they could have been added at a later date,, no real way to know !! My feeling is that it was framed or re-framed around 1900 give or take a few years !! I am guessing it does not have a varnish coat ?? I do not have an idea of the artist and back then could have been just a traveling artist selling small works !! If you are close to a gallery,I would take it to them or a museum and see if they have an idea !!

OK marthahill,just looked where you said.This was there.

Pat. Feb 3 1883
June 16 1885
A.D.S.

Thanks for that.Does that mean the painting is that old or the stretcher keys are.Frame looks like it has been with the painting forever.

Thank you.

Look on the metal stretcher keys and see if there is a patent number and date !! This can help date the painting !!