Melford Argyll shire By Inverarery, Scotland

                                                                                                                  16^th August 1820        

Member in the General Assembly North Carolina

Dear and Beloved friend,

This is to you from your Uncle's son, Neill Brown, who is a son to John Brown, merchant who was a full brother to your Father, Hugh Brown and to Duncan Brown, your Uncle, who both left Clachan - Seil together.

One if ever, this letter comes to your hand you will understand that one of your near friends is in life wishing to hear what situation and like all my friends is in that place. There is a great many of my Father's family in life and is very well. Sandy, my Brother, and his family is in Islay, and is very well. I am a man of sixty years of age and is a widower. I have three daughters and two of them is married. The one son that came to age was drowned on his way going abroad. Full educated for any business. A pretty young man of six foot high. His name was John, after my father's name. If my circumstance was according to my mind, by the will of God, I would wish to see my friends in that part of the world.

But I hope if this comes to your hand, you will write all the pleasure about you and all my friends which will give me the greatest pleasure. Supposing we will never in this world, I hope we will meet in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Remember me to all your Father's off spring. I have lost a great deal of my subject upon bad debtors, which made me very low.

I conclude with my kind respects to you and all my loving friends and all.

From your affectionate friend,

Neill Brown

My dear excuse your bad writing.