The certificate confirmed the appointment of James Mather to postmaster at Brooklandville, Baltimore County, Maryland. Dated August 13, 1873, it bears the signature Postmaster General John A J Creswell. To that date, the post office at Brooklandville, Maryland had been established and discontinued three times since 1832. The appointment for James Mather was effective May 28, 1873 when he executed the required bond and took oath of office. His wife Frances assumed the appointment in 1876 and was followed by their daughter who served from 1896 to 1902.
References:
http://www.usps.com/postmasterfinder (Accessed September 23, 2010).