Author: rumblingclint

Jean and Pike motored over to Gala + caught the early Pullman¹. Jean left her Muff + bag which I forwarded by registered post. Gave chlor[oform] at the House to Mrs Jas. Thomson while David operated, including to shorten the round ligaments but found illegible.² Walked to Wellwood, Buccleuch Road, Ettrickhaugh Road, Forest Road, Backrow + Hillside + cycled down to Ashybank, Curror Street + Beechbank. Message at 3 to see a girl Robertson³ at the Shepherd’s house on the Lindean Road. Motored there. Felt very dyspeptic at night + spent it in the arm chair in the smoke room.

¹ Dr Muir’s daughter and son-in-law had been confused over train times the night before and had returned to Dr Muir’s house

² Some parts of the section scored through are repeated in the following day’s diary entry

³ Not identified

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

A dull mild day: no rain + no drouth. I saw Stewart¹ (who is rather better but still slightly feverish) + Jeannie Hill. Went to forenoon service with Jean + Kenneth² + they + we had tea at Wellwood Elmpark³. Saw Agnes Durnford’s boy, a fine wee fellow⁴. Gave Stewart the last box of Millin’s Biscuits⁵. Sent Jean + Pike over to Gala in the car to catch a train which told them went to Ed.[inburgh] at 6.41 but it turned out it was 6.41 a.m. + not p.m. so they had to come back here again which they did in time for coffee. Wrote Blaike⁶ about Kenneth + Philip about Rob. Scott.

¹ Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003), Dr Muir’s grandson

² Kenneth is almost certainly a nickname (or error) for Frederick [Pike]

³ Frederick Charles Pike (1883-1921), theatrical agent, married Dr Muir’s daughter Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir in 1920 (much to Dr Muir’s disapproval) at Newington, Edinburgh

⁴ Stanley John Harper Durnford (1920-1995), army officer and son of Agnes Watson Durnford née Harper (1888-1976) and Norman Stanley M Durnford (1889-1965)

⁵ Millin’s Food was a “World Famous” infants’ food

⁶ Not identified

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

A most delightful mild dry day with a S.W. wind. Jean + Pike¹ had breakfast in bed + we didn’t have it till 9. The year has opened very quickly as far as work is concerned. Stewart² was ill with a temp. + I saw him + 7 others walking + then cycled to Faldonside where I made a very pleasant call. Jean + Pike went to Lauriston for tea. Jack, Nancy, Barbara + Jock³ came to dinner. We had turkey + mince pies + a bottle of “Lang”. Very pleasant evening + a great comfort to be all together on the old friendly footing. The hounds were at Riddell. Jack, Jock + Tim were there⁴. The fox crossed Ale [Water] 4 times.

¹ Frederick Charles Pike and Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, see diary entry for 31 December 1920

² Assume Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003), one of Dr Muir’s grandsons

³ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir with two of their their children Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg and John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts

⁴ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and two of his sons John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts

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

A lot more rain last night + some during the day. Very mild, so much so that there was condensation outside the dining room widow. Made 4 town calls: cleared out a drawer + arranged the new insurance record cards + envelopes = a most complicated business. Bella¹ up + doing a little. Nurse Smith² from Viewfield again kindly helping Helen³. David [Graham] looked in. Got Day Book finished for year. Sent away form for Petrol Rebate. Got brace of pheasants from Duke [? of Buccleuch]. Jean + Pike⁴ arrived by the last train + Baptie⁵ met them with the car. They had a cup of tea + the New Year came in as we were all going to bed. It is a delightful feeling to have Jean here again + to welcome her husband + to realise that the temporary estrangement has so happily passed away.

¹ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

² Not identified

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁴ Frederick Charles Pike (1883-1921), theatrical agent had married Dr Muir’s daughter Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir earlier in 1920 (much to Dr Muir’s disapproval) at Newington, Edinburgh

⁵ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Torrential rain during last night. Roads washed + much cleaner. Flooding at Dunsdalehaugh. Ettrick [Water] very heavy. Kept fair during the day. Saw 14 cases cycling + went to Bridgelands (Mrs Paterson¹) intending to go out to Faldonside but at the Railway Bridge, on trying to ride through the pool under the bridge, I had to dismount up to my knees in water + therefore turned home. Met Will. Bowden² + Mrs Milne³. Mousey⁴ seedy + has cystitis for which I gave her Urotropine. Along with Jack, Nancy, Barb. + Jock⁵ I motored to supper with the Patons⁶.

¹ Not identified

² William Douglas Davis Bowden (1875-1944), civil servant, born Edinburgh, died Hobsburn, Hobkirk, Roxburghshire, sister of Mary Lee Davis Milne née Bowden, he was a civil servant and had been working in Sierra Leone, arriving at Liverpool 30 November 1920 on board S.S. Abinsi, at this time of the African Steamship Company Ltd. (Elder Dempster Lines)

³ Mary Lee Davis Milne née Bowden (c.1873-1948), Serbian Cross of Mercy, St George’s Medal, sometime cook with Scottish Women’s Hospitals and at Bridgeheugh, Selkirk around 1920; the daughter of the Reverend John Davis Bowden and Margaret or Barbara Bowden née Lee; she had married the Reverend James Alexander Milne in 1906, Morningside, 685/6 204, but was widowed before going to Serbia with Dr Elsie Inglis and the Scottish Women’s Hospitals

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁵ John ‘Jack’ Roberts and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir and two of their children Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg and John ‘Jock’ Roberts

⁶ Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929) and Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940), sisters living on their own means [1901 Census] and at Galashiels since May 1918

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

A fine sunny forenoon but dull later + raining. Mild S.W. [wind]. Saw nine town cases walking + settled down to clerical work after 3 but was called down to Lindean Station where Jim Brodie¹ had been brought after attempted suicide in Ettrick. Joe Clapperton’s boy² got him shivering + wet + on the bank. We dined at Elmpark where Agnes + Erskine³ are. Helen⁴ busy all day with the child welfare party treat at the Victoria Hall.

¹ Assume James Brodie, woollen pattern weaver of Curror Street, Selkirk, who died of “Neurasthenia 18 months” in September 1921

² Joseph Hume Clapperton (c.1863-1938), woollen manufacturer, appears to have had only one son, Harry Inglis Clapperton (1898-1942) who fought in the First World War, was later a ranch manager in Argentina and died there 1 December 1942

³ James Erskine Harper (1887-1953), barrister and Agnes Watson Durnford née Harper (1888-1976), the children of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, sheriff substitute, and Agnes Harper née Watson, later Mackintosh who later lived at Elm Park, Selkirk and was a close friend of Dr Muir

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Dense fog all day + some heavy rain between 2 + 3 + after. Saw 7 town cases + Heather Mill + motored to Riddell to find that Mark¹ was out shooting! Road more fearful than ever. Paid some acc to the Burgh Taxes + sent Income Tax by post. Still have Para… account to pay. Bella² getting up a little but very weak. Helen³ had supper at Viewfield. Dora⁴ was at Deuchar Mill + Whitehope.

¹ Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer was at Middles, Lilliesleaf, 1920 Valuation Roll

² Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁴ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

A most provoking message to Crook Cottage¹ + David² posted the door late last night when at Broadgairhill! I didn’t get away till after 1 O’Clock as Baptie³ was doing something to the Straker⁴ tyre down at the Railway Hotel garage. Went to Mack [?], Ettrickhaugh Road + then up to Crook Cottage (Mrs J cystitis⁵). Called for Willie Watson⁶, Ettrickhall + Mrs W gave me 1/2 doz. eggs. Called also at Oakwood + got a cup of tea. H. + I dined quietly at Mauldsheugh. D. + I were just in our Tweeds. It was a Misty drizzly day with a S.W. wind.

¹ Crook Cottage, Overkirkhope, Ettrick

² Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

³ Straker Squire or Straker-Squire Ltd., also Brazil, Straker (1901-1927), motor manufacturer, see Straker Squire Ltd., Grace’s Guide

⁴ William Johnstone and his sons James and George lived at Crook Cottage, Overkirkhope, Ettrick [1911 Census] and had been regular patients of the Muir and Graham medical practice but it is not clear who Mrs Johnstone was

⁵ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁶ John Watson, ploughman, was Inhabitant Occupier of a house at Ettrickhall, Ettrick, 1920 Valuation Roll

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

The gale which rose last night had quite cleared this morning + the day was a fine mild calm one with a little sunshine: in fact a perfect winter day. There are some spears of bulbs (probably snowdrops) appearing under the weeping ash. I was twice at church which I have not been for a long time. Made 11 town calls including Hospital, Lockie¹, Forest Road + Smith, Castle Street. Looked in at Wellwood². Dav³. was at Midgehope + after getting home had to go to B’gairhill⁴. Mousey⁵ was busy with Mary Inglis⁶ arranging parcels for Xmas gifts for Child Welfare.

¹ Margaret ‘Peggy’ Lockie (1903-1921), daughter of Walter Lockie and Margaret Lockie née Scott, was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis

² Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, home of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir and their children

³ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁴ Broadgairhill, south west of Over Kirkhope

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

⁶ Assume Mary Carruthers Ingles (1871-1954), daughter of Alexander Ingles and Margaret Ingles née Nicholson; at Forest Road, 1920 Valuation Roll she may well be the Mary Ingles with whom Jean and Helen Muir had tea on 7 October 1914

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

We experienced today one of those extraordinary sudden changes to mild weather. While the temperature in my room was 45 it was actually 50 outside. The air felt quite warm when one went outside. It was calm till night when the wind rose but there was no rain. I saw 9 town cases + spent the afternoon reading in the kitchen. Bella¹ was still in bed but improving. Helen² + I dined at Wellwood. The Patons³ were there + there was the usual house but a very happy house!

¹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s daughter and sometime housekeeper

² Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

³ Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929) and Marion Agnes Paton (about 1838-1929), sisters living on their own means

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]