7 February 1913 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

Another posting in the occasional series of 1913 diary entries

Mrs Jas. Hogg¹, Fairnilee died at 12.20 a.m. She has been an invalid for more than 20 years. Breakfasted for 1^st time without gas light².

Rather a nice morning + mild, but after midday another violent Sou’ wester developed. Motored to Sunderland Hall, Heatherly, Thirladean, Warrior’s Rest + over Swire³ (quite clear of drifts) to Kirkhope, Ettrickbridgend + Bluecairn⁴. Saw some town cases + distributed Com. [communion] cards in afternoon. Jean⁵ + I went to evening service conducted by Mr Buller⁶. My 68th birthday. Letters from May⁷ + Guy⁸. Nancy⁹ gave me her photo!

¹ Janet Hogg née Anderson (about 1849-1913), wife of James Hogg, chauffeur, of Fairnilee, Caddonfoot, died 7 February 1913 of exophthalmic goitre [Graves disease or toxic diffuse goitre] “many years”, aged 64

² Dr Muir had recorded seeing “them laying the electric cable at Netherbarns on the low road, almost 40 navvies at work.”, see diary entry for 10 November 1920

³ The Swire runs from Yarrow to Kirkhope reaching 349 metres at approximate grid reference NGR NT368,256, just south of Witchie Knowe

⁴ Presumably to visit Robert Johnstone, carpenter, occupier of a house at Bluecairn, Selkirk, 1913 Valuation Roll [Valuation Rolls, VR011700008-/532, Selkirk County, page 532 of 617], see also diary entries for 4th, 5th, 15th, 17th, 18th and 21st February 1913

⁵ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁶ Not identified

⁷ Perhaps Margaret Graham ‘May’ Lang (1861-1968), daughter of Hugh Morris Lang and Margaret Lang née Graham

⁸ Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother

⁹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/16, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1913]