BROWN'S CLOSE First
recorded as Sommerville's Close after local gunsmith John Sommerville,
this became widely known as Paterson's Close or Golfer's Land
in deference to John Paterson, who built a tenement here from the proceeds
of a golfing wager.
Depending
on source, Paterson later sold the land to John Brown, a gardener, Joseph
Brown, a merchant, or Andrew Brown, of undisclosed standing, any of whom
would account for the current name.