Author: rumblingclint

Strong S.W. Gale + heavy rain. Rivers flooded. Storm continued all day. Tapped hydrocele for man Knox¹ who comes from Peebles but whose son is steward at Netherbarns.² Drove to Firs, Thirladean, Bowhill, Blackandro = (new people called Souness³), Broadmeadows (lunch), Yarrowford, Lindean + town. Had to go out after dinner to see Mr Hope, High Street⁴, a tramp at Shelter [?] House + Mr Boyd Ivybank’s boy.⁵

¹ James Knox, agricultural labourer, may be the outworker recorded at West Bold, Traquair, Peeblesshire in the 1901 Valuation Roll but he is not recorded in the corresponding Census for Berwickshire, Peeblesshire or Selkirkshire.

² Thomas Young Knox (1872-) was steward at Netherbarns, Galashiels in 1904 Valuation Roll and is recorded as farm steward in the 1901 Census with his wife Jessie Murray Knox nee Wilson (1869-) and their children Mary Fortune (1896-), James (1898-) and Walter Wilson (1901-).

³ George Souness was recorded as Inhabitant Occupier of a house at Blackandro, Kirkhope in 1903, 1904 and 1905 but not thereafter. He is otherwise unidentified.

⁴ There was more than one Hope entry in the Valuation Rolls for High Street, Selkirk so this individual will remain unidentified for the moment..

⁵ Mr Boyd was John Boyd, woollen warehouseman, of Ivy Bank, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk, recorded in the 1901 Census with his wife Agnes Boyd nee Gow and their only child Alexander John Boyd (1891-).

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

Change of weather again. A little frost in morning. Heavy rain + sleet after 1.30. Wind first W. then S.E. + at night S.W. + milder.¹ Cycled round town + drove to Mrs Brydon’s funeral at Gala at 1.² I had one of the cords. It began to rain first as Mr Pollok³ was praying at the grave + was very heavy all the way home. After seeing some town cases had to go to Firs + Thirladean. Did not go to bed till 12 + was hardly lain down when the night bell rang + I had to go down to see Mrs Young, Forest Road, who had a sudden attack of vomiting.⁴

¹ The overwriting of the letter W looks deliberate.

² Isabella Brydon née Howie (about 1841-1904), the wife of Adam Brydon, farmer, lived at 21 Abbotsford Road, Galashiels, Selkirkshire. She had died 9 February 1904, aged 63, of “pneumonia 8 days”. certified by “John S Muir M.B. +c, Selkirk”.

³ Pollok may be John Pollok (1858-1938), solicitor, Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal or, if it had to be a minister officiating, then perhaps the Reverend Robert Pollok, proprietor of a house at 43 James Street, Edinburgh in 1905 is a better fit.

⁴ Mrs Young was probably Alison Young née Henderson, wife of Robert Young, gas stoker (it was a coal gas plant). They lived at 95 Forest Road, Selkirk, with two children, Robert Young (1880-) and Margaret Bower Young (1882-). Robert Young junior was registered as Henderson but his name was changed and recorded via the Register of Corrected Entries.

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

Japan began hostilities against Russia on 8^th by torpedoing several warships at Port Arthur¹

A nice day + with no fall + little wind.

Expected a comparatively light day as I had only Boleside² in the County: but I got a wire during breakfast from Crook Cottage very urgent.³ There was also a message to Middlestead.⁴ There was snow on the ground but hardly any frost. I drove as far as Thirladean + cycled from there. The roads were fairly good + on the snow in the shade, hard. Found Mrs Johnston⁵ very ill + with something like cardiac dysplasia… Got back at 4.40 changed horses (I had Macaulay⁶ up Ettrick) + drove to Boldside [sic] making some town calls. Went Was called in to see a new patient at Ettrickbridgend Walt. Stoddart, a retired postman from Tranent.⁷ The girls⁸ were all down at Te Whare⁹ at a progressive whist party.¹⁰

¹ On 8th February 1904 Japan, viewing the Russian Pacific Fleet as a threat to the movement of Japanese troops to mainland Asia, staged a surprise attack on Russian warships at the strategically important Port Arthur, Manchuria (now Lüshunkou District, formerly Lüshun City or Port, China). The Battle of Port Arthur marked the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05, prompted by conflicting ambitions in Korea and China. [Britannica]

² Boleside, Galashiels, the location of the Abbotsford Ferry.

³ Mary Johnstone née Hewitson (about 1853-1904), wife of William Johnstone, roadman, living at Crook Cottage.

⁴ Middlestead is just south west of Selkirk.

⁵ Mary Johnstone née Hewitson (1234-1904), wife of William Johnstone, roadman, living at Crook Cottage.

⁶ Macaulay was one of Dr Muir’s horses, see also diary entries for 9^th, 12^th, 29^th January and 2^nd February.

⁷ Walter Stoddart (about 1836-1906), retired postman, lived at Ettrickbridgend with his wife Helen Stoddart née Cleghorn.

⁸ Dr Muir’s four daughters (the girls) were Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir, Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir.

⁹ It is not clear whose home this was at this time. Te Whare was not recorded as that in the Valuation Rolls until George Roberts was recorded there in 1915. It was certainly named Te Whare before this date as Andrina Barbara Henderson Roberts, daughter of John Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts nee Muir, was born there in 1902. It may be recalled that Dr Muir noted that he had “Called at Wellwood to see Baby”. Furthermore John ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1951) was born at Wellwood in November 1904.

¹⁰ Progressive whist became a major social pastime during the 1920s and 30s. It involved a number of tables between which partnerships moved after each hand.

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

Sharp frost + a lovely bright day with very slight wind, first W. + then N. It began to rain + snow at 6.20 p.m. Cycled to Tower Street, Forest Road, Philiphaugh, Broadmeadows (Mrs Lang away to Edinburgh¹) + Bowerhope.² The Loch was very calm with a ruffled surface here + there. All the hill tops were white with snow, the Megget valley being all covered. James Laidlaw³ on his way to Biggar Fair⁴ rowed across with the man + I took a pair of oars going over. Found Janet Laidlaw⁵ rather better. Mrs Hall from Houdshall⁶ was there. Got tea + had a delightful row across the loch again + a good run home calling at Whitehope⁷, Yarrowford + The Firs. The roads got soft in the sun but one could get a hard track in the shadows on the S. side of the road.

¹ Assume Margaret Pattison Lang née Graham (1821-1914), widow of Hugh Morris Lang (1817-1900), banker and landed proprietor, of Largs, Ayrshire and later Broadmeadows, Selkirk. She was a a close friend of Dr Muir.

² Bowerhope is on the south side of St Mary’s Loch and had a boathouse, see Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire Sheet XIII.NE, published 1900. Dr Muir had been up there on 29 January 1924 to attend Janet Laidlaw, see that diary entry for more detail.

³ James Laidlaw, 55, farmer and head of household, was born Yarrow and living at Bowerhope, Yarrow, 1901 Census with Alexander Laidlaw and Janet (see below).

⁴ The Editor cannot readily find a reference to a fair at Biggar, Lanarkshire, in February 1904.

⁵ Janet Laidlaw, aged 53, was recorded at Bowerhope farmhouse, Yarrow, as housekeeper .

⁶ Mary L Hall née Laidlaw (about 1849-), wife of Thomas Hall, was recorded at Houdshall, Bowden, Roxburghshire, in the 1901 Census which also noted she was born Ettrick, Selkirkshire. She was Thomas Hall’s second wife (his first wife Alison Fox died at Southdean, Roxburghshire in 1888) and they were married in 1894 at Galashiels. Mary was born 17 January 1849 at Annelshope, Ettrick, the daughter of John Laidlaw and Isabella Laidlaw née Laidlaw. It is conceivable that Mary was a cousin of Janet, James and Alexander Laidlaw.

⁷ Assume Whitehope Farm, Yarrow, grid reference NGR NT356,279.

Continued on opposite page:

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

Fair today + a little sun in afternoon. Went over to Gala by 7.15 train. Found her much worse + right lung affected. Drove over again at midday + saw she was sinking. Stayed a while. Adam¹ + Mrs Pollok² were there. After lunch cycled to Firs, Bowhill, Old Broadmeadows + Yarrowford. Drove over to Gala again at night + found Mrs B. had died at 6.30.³

¹ This name is illegible but the Editor has assumed that this must refer to Adam i.e. Adam Brydon (about 1836 -1919), farmer, who was Isabella’s husband and was the informant of her death recorded on the death record as “Present”.

² Jane Pollok née MacLaurin or McLaurin (1856-1911), first wife of John Pollok (1858-1938), solicitor, Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal.

³ Isabella Brydon née Howie (about 1841-1904), the wife of Adam Brydon, farmer, lived at 21 Abbotsford Road, Galashiels, Selkirkshire. She died 9 February 1904, aged 63, of “pneumonia 8 days”. certified by “John S Muir M.B. +c, Selkirk”.

.

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

A miserable day again with fog + sleet. Was thrice at Abbotsford Road. Drove in the morning. Went back with the 2.30 train + drove at night. Got a second nurse to help. Mrs Brydon¹ looks seriously ill. [text deleted] Went to meeting of the Organ Committee about raising the organ half a tone. Letter from Patrick.²

¹ Isabella Brydon née Howie (about 1841-), the wife of Adam Brydon, farmer, lived at 21 Abbotsford Road, Galashiels, Selkirkshire. She died 9 February 1904, aged 63, of “pneumonia 8 days”. certified by “John S Muir M.B. +c, Selkirk”.

² Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902.

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

The girls¹ gave me a tie + I had a card from Guy + a letter from Mary² My 59^th birthday : “Eheu fugaces labuntur anni”!³

A nice day. [word deleted] The first ray of sun since last Sunday. Drove over first thing to Abbotsford Road. Mrs B.⁴ worse. Came back to Dunsdale, Firs. + went on to Firs, Philiphaugh+ Bowhill. Was stopped at W. D. Connochie’s on my way home. Mrs C. was confined by her 4 daughter.⁵ She was rather bad after with haemorrhage + pain. Did not get to church at all. 3 new elders were ordained today. Mr + Mrs Scott from Langholm⁶ who were staying at Wellwood came to supper with Jack + Nancy.⁷

¹ Dr Muir’s four daughters (the girls) were Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir, Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir.

² The Reverend Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927) and Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), favourite brother and sister of Dr Muir.

³ “The fleeting years slip by.” Horace.

⁴ Isabella Brydon née Howie (about 1841-1904), the wife of Adam Brydon, farmer, lived at 21 Abbotsford Road, Galashiels, Selkirkshire.

⁵ Muriel Stewart Connochie was born 7 February 1904 at 14 West Port, Selkirk. She was the daughter of William Dixon Connochie, veterinary surgeon, and Janet Johnston Connochie née Crosbie. The parents had married 24 June 1897 at Edinburgh. [Births 1904 778 / 22 Selkirk].

⁶ The Editor has no chance of identifying someone called Scott in the Scottish Borders with this amount of information.

⁷ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) lived at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk.

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

Rose at 5.

Cold day with sleety rain+ fair intervals. Drove over early to Abbotsford Road. Mrs Brydon¹ pretty ill. Got a nurse for her. Drove back to Selkirk to see a Mrs Henderson, Tower Street² + then went down to Bridgelands to have some ferreting with George.³ It was an awful day for the job + awfully cold. We had poor sport + a little after 2 I had to leave to see Geo. Cockburn.⁴ Went over to Galashiels again at night. Mrs Cruickshank⁵ telephoned in the evening before I started for Galashiels about Jenny⁶ the still room maid who had burned her head by a celluloid comb taking fire but I did not need to go up. Isa Brydon⁷ told me about her brother Adam⁸, the doctor, having run off with the wife of the man he was assisting, a D^r Jackson at St Helens.⁹ It must have affected poor Mrs B terribly.

¹ Isabella Brydon née Howie (about 1841-1904), the wife of Adam Brydon, farmer, lived at 21 Abbotsford Road, Galashiels, Selkirkshire.

² Perhaps Mrs Marion Henderson, proprietor of a house and garden at Tower Street, Selkirk, 1903 Valuation Roll.

³ Assume George Rodger (about 1843-1910), proprietor of Bridgelands at this time.

⁴ George Cockburn is so far unidentified.

⁵ Mrs Cruikshank is so far unidentified.

⁶ The only Jenny who is a possible match from the 1901 Census is Janet Weston ‘Jenny’ Pritty (1882-), daughter of the Burgh Surveyor John Pritty.

⁷ Isabella Thomas ‘Isa’ Brydon (1868-).

⁸ Adam Gibson Brydon (1877-1953), M.D., was recorded in St Helens, Lancashire in the 1901 Census, aged 23, born Galashiels, an assistant medical practitioner. He left for Australia, married (possibly twice) and died in New South Wales.

⁹ Dr Jackson was Robert Jackson (1862-1951), M.B., recorded at 69 Church Street, St Helens, Lancashire, 1903 Medical Register. His wife was Cherith Edwards (1865-1939). They had married 16 June 1890 at St George Hanover Square, Middlesex. Robert petitioned for divorce 6 March 1903, with the Co-Respondent named as Adam Brydon [Divorce Court File Number 3717 Item Number 3717]. The Final Decree was dated 9 May 1904. Jackson stayed in St Helens, moved to Cowley Hill at some time, and remarried, 31 January 1907 at Brigstock, Northamptonshire to Gwendoline Doris Adams (1887-1976).

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

Did not rise till 7 this morning. Weather much the same, felt also not quite so cold + there was less fall + mostly rain. Drove to Firs + Abbotsford Road. Worked on accounts in afternoon. Cullen¹ called in his motor (a Humber Voiturette²).

¹ William Laing Cullen (1861-1921), medical practitioner, in practice at St Boswells and recorded living at Fairholm, St Boswells in the 1901 Census with his wife Mary Douglas Cullen, a daughter Elsie Isobel Laing, a son William Douglas Laing and three servants.

² A Humber Humberette 5 HP Voiturette 1903

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

Hills white including Greenhead

Wind N.E. Very cold raw day with sleety blasts. Cycled to Gala but had a most disagreeable ride. Mrs Brydon¹ a little better. Went by Bridgelands. Left about 1 + made a few calls in town + Forest Road + drove to Firs², Yarrowford + Bowerhope.³ Very cold going up. Janet Laidlaw rather better. Got cosy tea + was less cold coming home, although against the wind. Got back at 8. Changed horses + went on to Abbotsford Road.

¹ Isabella Brydon née Howie (about 1841-1904), the wife of Adam Brydon, farmer, lived at 21 Abbotsford Road, Galashiels, Selkirkshire.

² Dr Muir had been attending Alice Smith née Paterson (1863-1943), wife of Patrick Smith, at the Firs.

³ Dr Muir had been up to Bowerhope, on the south side of St Mary’s Loch, on two occasions, the first time on 29 January 1924, to attend Janet Laidlaw, aged 53, see that diary entry for more detail.

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