Author: rumblingclint

I was knocked up at 12 to go to Mrs Hope¹, Ramsaycleuch Cottage, motored up. It was fair. Got back at 3.30. The woman who is in her 7^th month had cystitis. While dressing this morning had to attend to Mrs Tait in the surgery for retention. Saw town cases walking in the forenoon + called at Viewfield. Wrote Nancy, Pussy Stuart², Young & Sons + Miss Graham. Went to evening service. McKenzie³, Ettrickbridgend, preaching. Was rather disappointed with him. There were some showers today + sunny intervals. A peal of thunder at 5. Bella’s⁴ temp. 100^o.

¹ Janet Hamilton had married Robert Hope, March 1920, at Ettrick Manse at which time both parties were of West Buccleuch, and Margaret Jane Hamilton Hope, later Cook (1920-1983) was also born at Ettrick

² Pussy Stewart see 15 July 1920

³ Assume the Reverend George Mackenzie who was proprietor of Kirkhope Manse and Glebe, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁴ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

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

A dismal rainy day from E. up till between 2 + 3 + after that it improved + was a lovely evening. Bella¹ a shade better but still in bed. Dora² working like a navvy! Motored round town + to Middlestead³, Firs [?], Hospital &c. + then to Lilliesleaf, Riddell W. Lodge + Dryden. Called at Kirklea + thanked Madge Ogilvie⁴ for the glass cooking dish⁶ which she has sent for Jean⁵. Tina⁷ was at a sale of work at Parish Church with Mrs MacIntosh⁸.

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

² Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, operating as his housekeeper during Bella Paulin’s indisposition

³ Middlestead (grid reference NGR NT452,264) is on the road that runs across the south of Selkirk from South Common to Oakwoodmill

⁴ Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Scott Ogilvie née Anderson (1879-1965), wife of William Henry ‘W H’ or ‘Will’ Ogilvie (1869-1963), author, journalist and one of Australia’s great Bush poets; they lived at Kirklea, Ashkirk

⁵ Schott AG introduced the first Borosilicate glass in 1893, sold as ‘Duran’, 22 years before Corning produced the ‘Pyrex’ brand launched as cookware in 1915

⁶ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter; she had married on 15 June 1920 (Dr Muir did not attend) so this clearly refers to a wedding gift

⁷ Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (c.1846-1924), daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official; married David Patrick, solicitor; of Hamilton but at Selkirk, 1901 Census

⁸ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

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

Helen left this morning for Chorley¹

Very strong S.W. wind but no rain to speak of: Sunless. Cycled in town + to Viewfield in afternoon. Left about 12.45 + cycled to Heatherlie, Yair Farm Cottage (Cairney²) + by the old road (of which I had to walk the first half it was so muddy + rutty) to Peelburnfoot. Found Michael G³ improving. Met his oldest son Willie⁴ who lives at Clydebank + is a painter. Got back to tea at 3.30. 120 gallons petrol arrived today. Tina Patrick⁵ had tea at Elmpark. Bella⁶ in bed with cystitis.

¹ It is not revealed in Dr Muir’s diary why his daughter Helen went to Chorley, Lancashire

² Unidentified but possibly William Cairney who was a domestic groom, aged 17, born Wigton, who was at Old Peel, Caddonfoot, 1911 Census

³ Michael Glendinning (c.1839-1922), tenant occupier, house and garden at Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot, 1920 Valuation Roll and previously recorded as a farmer at Williamhope, Caddonfoot, 1911 Census

⁴ William ‘Willie’ Glendinning (1864-1943), master painter, died 1943 in Dunbartonshire

⁵ Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (c.1846-1924), daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official; married David Patrick, solicitor; of Hamilton but at Selkirk, 1901 Census

⁶ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

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

Still showery: kept pretty fair in forenoon. Heavy rain between 4 + 5. Motored to Middles¹ + cycled to Philiphaugh Stables. Spoke to Mrs Steel² who came in driving her motor. David brought And Gave gas for a case of Tonsils + Adenoids at Viewfield at 9.30. David [Graham] brought “Pussy” Stewart³ (who cycled from Clovenfords) to see the Home [Viewfield] + some of the cases. Stewart came across here + had tea. David [Graham] came in after + went over the cases. He leave [sic] for London tonight.

¹ Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer (captain, 1916 and major, 1920) was at Middles, Lilliesleaf, 1920 VR

² Assume The Hon. Vere Mabel Cornwallis (1889-1964), daughter of Fiennes Stanley Wykeham Cornwallis, 1st Baron Cornwallis and Mabel Leigh, and wife of Samuel Strang Steel of Philiphaugh

³ Referred to as Stuart elsewhere in the diary, otherwise unidentified but, conceivably, Dr Muir’s very first locum or, perhaps, John Struthers Stewart (c.1846-1930), L.R.C.P.S., medical practitioner, sometime of Merchiston Place and of Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh who would have been a near-contemporary of Dr Muir at Medical School

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

Dry today + a strongish N.W. to S.W. wind, dust flying: after 9 p.m. a little rain. Very little sun. Feeling dyspeptic still + a want of rigour. Jack [Roberts] motored to Buttermere. I saw some town cases cycling + walking. + began posting June [accounts]. Message in afternoon to Jean Currie¹, Rockville + at night to Miss Hall², Heathpark. Dora [Muir] + Tina Patrick³ came at 4. Helen lunched at Elmpark. David [Graham, co-partner] also there.

¹ Jane Murray ‘Jean’ Currie (1876-1942), daughter of Robert Currie (c.1847-1923), hosiery manufacturer and Mary Currie née Murray

² Janet Hall, spinster, was ‘proprietor occupier’ of a house at 3 Heath Park, Selkirk [1920 Valuation Roll]

³ Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (c.1846-1924), daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official; married David Patrick, solicitor; of Hamilton but at Selkirk, 1901 Census

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

Showery in forenoon but fair after with a strong N.W. wind which actually raised dust. David [Graham] operated on Mrs Malkin’s baby¹ for hernia at 11 + it took a long time. I saw a town list of 11 + St Mary’s + Under Mills² walking + got home to my tea at 3.15 feeling very tired + seedy, was not out again. Had a snooze in Smoke room. Dora wired that she was coming tomorrow + bringing Aunt Tina³. Gave Helen [Muir] money to pay the books.

¹ Assume Cyril J Leslie Malkin, born at Selkirk earlier in 1920, son of Joseph Frank Malkin and Jeanie Clark Christie who had married 1916 at Selkirk

² Under Mill has not been identified but Dr Muir made the same visit on 29 September 1915 “Saw 19 cases (including St Mary’s & Under Mills) & cycled to Ashiestiel, Yair & Sunderland Hall.”

³ Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (c.1846-1924), daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official; married David Patrick, solicitor; of Hamilton but at Selkirk, 1901 Census

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

Still unsettled + showery. Sandy + Eva¹ left at 11.1. H. [Helen Muir] + I walked down to the station with them + saw them off. They were laden with gifts from the Magic Cave² + flowers from Wellwood³. Came round by Dunsdale, Hospital &c + then saw David [Graham] dress Mrs Wright + Mrs Nichol + Bessie Murray at Viewfield. In afternoon motored first to Middles⁴ + Lilliesleaf (where I called to see Mark Woodger about his wife’s death⁵) + then to Peelburnfoot (Michael Glendinning⁶) + Caddonfoot (Mrs Stenhouse⁷).

¹ Alexander Logan ‘Sandy’ McClure (c.1860-1932), Advocate and sometime Sheriff of Argyle, and Jessie Evelyn Ramsay ‘Eva’ McClure née Hotson; they lived at 16 Heriot Row, Edinburgh

² Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, whose Home was known by Dr Muir as ‘the Magic Cave’

³ Wellwood was the home of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and their children Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), Louisa Jane Roberts (1906-1982), Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005)

⁴ Major Mark Sprot was at Middles, Lilliesleaf

⁵ Jane Woodger née Corbett, wife of Mark Sprot Woodger had died earlier in 1920 at Lilliesleaf

⁶ Michael Glendinning (d.1922), farmer, formerly of Williamhope and later at Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot, Clovenfords

⁷ Thomas Stenhouse and his wife Christina Stenhouse née Brown lived at Allanlea, Caddonfoot, Selkirkshire, 1920 Valuation Roll

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

Some rain this morning but fair from 11 + a fair afternoon + evening. Motored to Philiphaugh Stables to see Mrs McDonald¹ + took Sandy McClure². Came back by Hospital + went to afternoon service (Helen, Eva³ + Sandy). Wrote in afternoon. Sandy + Eva called at The Firs⁴ + we all had tea at Elmpark⁵, a big feed it was. John Murray⁶ broke in upon us. Then I showed Viewfield nursing home + saw some cases after. We had the 3 best bottles of Muscatell⁷ from the Magic Cave⁸ for supper + the remains of the port. David [Graham, co-partner] looked in at night.

¹ Not identified

² Alexander Logan ‘Sandy’ McClure (c.1860-1932), Advocate and sometime Sheriff of Argyle, normally lived at 16 Heriot Row, Edinburgh and evidently staying for a few days

³ Jessie Evelyn Ramsay ‘Eva’ McClure née Hotson, Sandy McClure’s wife

⁴ The Firs, Selkirk was the home of Patrick Smith, advocate, Alice Smith née Paterson and their daughter Alice B S Smith

⁵ Elm Park, Selkirk was the home of Agnes Mackintosh, née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)

⁶ There were several individuals called John Murray in Selkirk at this time

⁷ The party has has some dessert wines from the ‘Magic Cave’

⁸ Dr Muir’s name for Agnes Mackintosh’s home, perhaps through synecdoche from her wine cellar

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

Intended starting at 10.30 for a motor run but it was so wet we had to wait. It was almost fair at 12 so we started then, Eva¹, Helen, Sandy + I in Bryson’s Argyll² driven by a man Terry. We went via Hawick + Slitrigg [sic] to Hermitage where we lunched + saw the inside of the Castle³. It seems the key is kept at a cottage close by. From Hermitage we went to Steel Road, Liddesdale, Note o’ the Gate, Fodderlee, Bedrule, Denholm + Minto getting home at 5.45. We had very little rain but missed all the best views. Sandy + Eva enjoyed the run very much. Had to see Miss Dunn before dinner.

¹ Jessie Evelyn Ramsay ‘Eva’ McClure née Hotson, wife of Alexander Logan ‘Sandy’ McClure (1860-1932), advocate and sometime Sheriff of Argyle; they lived at 16 Heriot Row, Edinburgh

² Brysons were the famous local motor dealers who regularly hired vehicles to Dr Muir and Argyll was a Scottish car manufacturer

³ The party has travelled out of Hawick up the River Slitrig towards Newcastleton, taking a short diversion west to see Hermitage Castle before cutting off the corner via Steele Road to join the road through Saughtree past Note o’ the Gate and eventually looping back to Selkirk via Denholm and a crossing of the River Teviot

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

Operations at Viewfield took from 10.30 till 1.30. First D. [David Graham] operated for hernia on a child Lang: then on Bessie Murray¹ for appendicitis: then on Mrs Nichol², Yarrow Terrace for a return of the abscess in her abdomen + lastly on Mrs Malkin’s girl³ for tonsils + adenoids. I saw 4 town cases + met Sandy McClure + Eva⁴ at 5.46. We had a dinner party for Mr, Mrs + Alice Smith⁵: Mrs Mackintosh⁶, Jack + David. Mrs Mack kindly gave me 3 bottles of Muscatel + Nancy⁷ purveyed an excellent dinner. Simpson + a maid from Elmpark helped Bella⁸. Among us we nearly finished 2 of Lang Port!

¹ Unidentified

² Alexander Nichol, millworker was at 9a Yarrow Terrace, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll; his wife’s name may be Annie Scott but this awaits confirmation

³ Jeanie May Malkin was born at Selkirk in 1917, daughter of Joseph Frank Malkin and Jeanie Clark Christie who had married 1916 at Selkirk

⁴ Alexander Logan ‘Sandy’ McClure (1860-1932), Advocate and sometime Sheriff of Argyle, and Jessie Evelyn Ramsay ‘Eva’ McClure née Hotson; they lived at 16 Heriot Row, Edinburgh; his mother was a Logan as was Dr Muir’s mother

⁵ Patrick Smith (1858-1930), advocate, Alice Smith née Paterson (1863-1943) and Alice Barbara Stewart Smith (1892-)

⁶ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, her home was known to Dr Muir as ‘the Magic Cave’

⁷ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter and wife of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior

⁸ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

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