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

Another posting in the occasional series of 1913 diary entries

A sprinkling of snow on the ground this morning which soon disappeared. Calm E. [wind]. Bright forenoon, dull + drizzling in afternoon. Message to Mrs Amos¹, Crosslee. Motored there + called at Singlie Inch², Ettrickbridgend, Bluecairn³ + Cannon Street + Forest Mill +c coming back. Sent a boy of Russell the baller⁴ to Sick Kids⁵ with appendicitis. Nancy⁶ + Stewart⁷ returned from Ed. [Edinburgh] Stewart did not seem to feel his throat at all. Dined at Bridgelands⁸ = Charlie Roberts⁹ + Allans¹⁰, Mr + Mrs Alexander¹¹. Charlie motored me home + I called at Rectory for [illegible].

¹ Janet Amos née Armstrong (about 1836-1916), born Yarrow, wife of Walter Amos (about 1853-1922), shepherd; they were at Crosslee Townhead, 1881 Census and Walter is recorded at Inhabitant Occupier of a house at Crosslee, Ettrick, 1913 Valuation Roll [Ettrick, VR011700008-]

² Singlie Inch, Kirkhope, where Dr Muir was attending Euphemia ‘Euphy’ Laidlaw (1828-1913), dressmaker, who was staying at ‘The Inch’, Kirkhope, with her nephew Robert Laidlaw

³ 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, 7th, 15th, 17th and 18th February 1913

⁴ Not identified

⁵ The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, almost universally known as The Sick Kids

⁶ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁷ Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003), Dr Muir’s grandson, had an operation in Edinburgh

⁸ Bridgelands was at this time the home of the Rodgers family being the Elizabeth Charlotte Rodgers née Eck, 1872, the widow of George Rodger (about 1843-1910) and, it appears, some of their children: George Frederick Eck Rodger (1873-1956), Peter Edward A Rodger (1876-1913), William S Rodger (about 1878-), Walter V Rodger (about 1879-) and Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger (1884-1858); George Rodger had died 13 September 1910, Harrogate, probate to his widow, to George Frederick Eck Rodger and to Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger

⁹ Charles Henry Roberts ‘Charlie‘ (1877-), tweed manufacturer

¹⁰ Assume Andrew Lusk Allan (1860-1933), manufacturer, was Tenant Occupier at Mauldsheugh, and his wife Margaret Louisa Anderson [1915 VR007900011]

¹¹ Perhaps David Carnegie Alexander, ‘Carnegie Alexander’ or ‘D.C.A.’ (1856-1928), solicitor, and his wife Margaret Scott Anderson

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