6 December 1921 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

Very mild, dull + wet. Was from 10.50 until 2 at Viewfield. David¹ curetted Mrs Jas. Elliot², Synton Mill + then did a supra pubic cystotomy + a vaginal [illegible] on Mrs Jas. Scott³, Chapel Place. In the afternoon I walked to the Hospital + Hardie⁴, Bridgelands. Helen⁵ had lunch + tea at Wellwood⁶. Jessie Boyd⁷ was there + Mrs Dees⁸ + her sister⁹ were at tea.

Agreement with Ireland¹⁰

¹ The Editor assumes that this is Isabella Douglas Elliot née Amos, wife of James Elliot of Flex, Hawick, who was also tenant at Shielswood, Ashkirk

² James Scott, wool sorter, was Tenant Occupier of a house and garden 4 Chapel Place, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/105, Selkirk Burgh, page 105 of 644]

³ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, home of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and their children

⁴ Assume James Hardie (c.1841-1922), retired ploughman, husband of Margaret Nicholson, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Bridgelands Lodge, Galashiels, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁶ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk was home of the Roberts family, Dr Muir’s daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren

⁷ Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

⁸ Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948) of Faldonside

⁹ Edith Dees had a number of sisters including Elizabeth Jane Henderson, later Harrison (1869-?1946), Robina Margaret Henderson (1874-1941), Mary Lowrey [sic] Henderson, later Glenny (1875-?1931), and Isabel Anne Henderson (1879-1946)

¹⁰ The Anglo-Irish Treaty (An Conradh Angla-Éireannach) signed on 6 December 1921 to conclude the Irish War of Independence and which provided for the establishment of the Irish Free State (implemented 1922) and gave the north of Ireland its opt out from the Irish Free State as previously envisaged in the Government of Ireland Act 1920

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]