This dating ad from 1865 proves finding love is rough no matter when you were born

And we thought 21st-century dating was hard. A 19th-century newspaper dating ad shows us that finding love has always been tough.

A researcher at the University of Oxford, Max Roser, recently posted an old newspaper clipping from 1865 which was, essentially, the 19th-century version of a Tinder profile.

The ad is titled “chance for a spinster” (strong opening, dude) and was placed in the paper by an 18-year-old man from Maine.

"I am eighteen years old, have a good set of teeth, and believe in Andy Johnson, the star-spangled banner, and the 4th of July," he begins. "I have taken up a State lot, cleared up eighteen acres last year, and seeded ten of it down. My buckwheat looks first-rate, and the oats and potatoes are bully."

The guy’s legal, patriotic AF, with buckwheat on fleek and good dental hygiene? OK, we’re listening.

"I want to buy bread-and-butter, hoop-skirts, and waterfalls for some person of the female persuasion during life. That's what's the matter with me. But I don't know how to do it."

It appears our young hero was having trouble attracting a wife, despite his well-seeded land and ability to purchase waterfalls, whatever that means.

Twitter users were empathetic to his struggle.

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The ad even inspired one ~available~ man to update his Tinder profile.

Yep, dating’s rough no matter what century you’re in. We hope the lad found the person of the female persuasion of his dreams.