14 February 1904 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

Letter from Pat¹ on 15^th 16.

Dull morning : glass very low but wind abated. Breakfasted 7 + left at 8 driving with bicycle attached. Drove as far as Gilmans the 12^th milestone whence I cycled to Crook Cottage², Baptie³ picking me up at Gilmanscleuch.⁴ The roads were washed [?] + fairly good. 9.6 miles in an hour. Found Mrs Johnstone⁵ very ill + stayed 55 minutes + came back to Gilmanscleuch in 41 minutes. As I was very hot + the weather good I cycled home getting back at 1.30. The roads were very heavy [?] this side of Ettrickbridgend. Saw a few town cases after dinner. Barbara⁶ came up at tea time. Nancy + Jack⁷ with Tom Mclagan + his wife⁸ came to supper. I went to evening service. Shannon, Hawick⁹, preached. This was Communion Sunday.

¹ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902.

² Crook Cottage, near Overkirkhope, Ettrick, grid reference NGR NT217,123.

³ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

⁴ Gilmanscleuch, Kirkhope, grid reference NGR NT337,212.

⁵ Mary Johnstone née Hewitson (about 1853-1904), wife of William Johnstone, roadman, living at Crook Cottage.

⁶ Assume Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts (1902-), Dr Muir’s first grandchild, and presumably accompanied.

⁷ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter, and her husband John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966).

⁸ The Mclagans are so far unidentified.

⁹ The Reverend James Wigston Shannon (1858-1926), M.A., born Braidwood, Carluke, Lanarkshire, a coal miner in his youth, took holy orders and was called to Wilton Church, Hawick in 1892, emigrated to New Zealand as part of his ministry and died there.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]