11 March 1904 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

Hard frost again last night followed by a magnificent brilliant cloudless day. Rose at 4.20 + did some good work at ledger. Was not out of town + went at ledger again in afternoon with Dora¹ at the index. Nancy + baby² came to tea. Baby now calls me “Ga’ fuff”. Mrs Rodger, Ettrick View³ called + she was “Eliriosus”.⁴ Attended Mrs Christy, High Street, who had a d [daughter] at 6.45.⁵ Mrs Sprot called to ask me to see her mother.⁶ Baptie⁷ drove to Melrose with 2 decanters.⁸

¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), Dr Muir’s third and youngest daughters.

² Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter, and her first child Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts (1902-1996).

³ Mrs Rodger is so far unidentified.

⁴ The Editor assumes this is some more baby language.

⁵ Winnie Lester Christie was born 6.50 p.m. on 11 March 1904 at 37 High Street, Selkirk, the daughter of John Christie, licensed grocer, and Jeannie Christie née Cowan. Her parents were married 8 September 1893.

⁶ Assume Gertrude Gladys Violet Sprot (1889-1966), daughter of Charlotte Gertrude Cole (1856-1933). Her mother had married Lieutenant-General John Sprot in 1886, his third marriage.

⁷ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

⁸ This appears to be a non sequitur.

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