EXHIBIT 99.1


                         PATRIOT NATIONAL BANCORP, INC.


                                                                 _________, 2005

Dear Shareholder:

     Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") has begun an offering (the
"Offering") of a minimum of ___________ shares and a maximum of ________ shares
of its Common Stock, $2.00 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), to holders
of record of Common Stock at the close of business on _____________, 2005 (the
"Record Date"), pursuant to nontransferable subscription rights ("Rights") to
subscribe for and purchase shares of Common Stock at a price of $______ per
share (the "Subscription Price"). Each shareholder will receive one (1) Right
for every ________ (___) shares of Common Stock held of record by such
shareholder on the Record Date, and the aggregate number of Rights issued by the
Company to each shareholder will be rounded up or down to the nearest whole
number.

     Each Right will entitle the holder thereof (the "Rights Holder") to
subscribe for and purchase at the Subscription Price one share of Common Stock
(the "Basic Subscription Right"). Any Rights Holder who exercises the Basic
Subscription Right in full is entitled to subscribe for and purchase up to two
(2) additional shares of Common Stock that are not otherwise subscribed for by
all Rights Holders pursuant to the exercise of the Basic Subscription Right,
subject to proration and reduction by the Company under certain circumstances.
The number of Rights to which you are entitled is printed on the front of your
Subscription Rights Certificate.

     Enclosed for your review is the Prospectus, a nontransferable Subscription
Rights Certificate and related documents concerning the Offering. The Offering
will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on ____________, 2005, unless extended
by the Company to a time no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on ____________,
2005. Rights not exercised or sold by such time will expire and become
worthless. Any questions or requests for assistance should be directed to
Registrar and Transfer Company, the Information Agent and the Subscription
Agent, at (800) 866-1340.

     The Offering is being made only pursuant to the Prospectus which sets forth
detailed information about the Company and the Offering. Please read these
enclosed materials carefully.

Sincerely,


Angelo De Caro                         Robert F. O'Connell
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND              SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER                FINANCIAL OFFICER