Author: rumblingclint

Surprisingly cold S.E. wind + falling glass [barometer]. Wind went gradually to S. + S.W. + after some drizzle at midday a Sou’ Wester developed. It was fair again at night. I motored in town + to Beechwood, Sawmill + Bowhill. Spent the afternoon over my lecture for Monday night, or address rather. Then when I got back from Bowhill I found there had been a hurried message to see Pretty¹ + they had got Hiddleston who, it turned out, had been attending him! David was at Borthwick Shiels¹.

¹ John Pritty, burgh surveyor, was at Craigneuk, Chapel Street, Selkirk with his wife Mary Fletcher Smith and children Lucy H Pritty and Thomas W Pritty; he was from Lanarkshire [1911 Census]

² Borthwickshiels, Roberton, Roxburghshire at grid reference NGR NT435,156 would appear to be outwith the co-partnery’s area but with a route out of Ashkirk via Esdale Law and Blawearie it is closer ‘as the crow flies’ than would otherwise seem

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

A lovely clear calm sunny day: sharp + drying. Wind first S then E. was called up at 2.40 to go to Dewar¹, Prieston. They rang up Dav. [Dr David Graham] imagining that I wouldn’t go out at night! I thought it would be a confinement but found it was a girl with Croup + Mrs D with Myalgia. Got back to bed at 5. D. [David Graham] was in Edinburgh at a meeting. I cycled in town + to Bogle House, Nest + Yair Bridge. Crocuses full out + very lovely. Helen [Muir] went to Luigi’s² concert³. Got marriage card from Agnes Hume, Lilliesleaf, who has married George C Park, Newhall⁴.

¹ This refers to Rachel Crozier Dewar, born 9 August 1911 at Branxholme Bridge-end, Hawick and her mother Williamina Christina Crozier Dewar née Douglas, wife of William Michie Dewar, steward

² Fabriano Aloysius ‘F. A.’ Luigi, formerly Ruis, violinist, allegedly born about 1890 at Edinburgh, married 9 August 1920 to Olive Powell Jack

³ The concert, covered by the Southern Reporter Thursday 18 March 1920, was performed by Luigi, his string orchestra and his Galashiels choir (80 performers in all) and comprised a mixture of composers (Delibes, Sir Arthur Sullivan, Leoncavallo, Schubert, Dvorak, Cowan, Bantock et al), styles (opera and light opera, lieder, marches, ballet and Scottish folk songs) and performers (Luigi, the choir and Misses Nell Johnstone, Mary Benzies and Barbara McCubbin)

⁴ Agnes Hume of Thorncroft, Lilliesleaf married George C Park, farmer, of Newhall, Bowden at Thorncoft, 25 February 1920

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

The hounds met at Kaeside¹ + after seeing some town cases I walked with Nancy + Helen to Cauldshiels Hill + saw a good deal of them. A run fox coming from Bowden Moor + making for Cauldshiels was headed by Helen + Nancy + turned back towards the cover but must have gone to Rhymer’s Glen². The hounds came up the hill again quite close to me. It was a dull cold day with a piercing wind. We got back about 2.45. Dav. [Graham] was called this morning about 4 to attend Mrs Mitchell³, Borthwickshiels. Baptie drove him.

¹ Kaeside Farm is in Melrose Parish, at grid reference NT516,339

² Cauldshiels Hill is at grid reference NGR NT515,316, the Rhymers Glen runs north from Bowden Moor, through grid reference NT527,327, towards Huntlyburn and what is now the Borders General Hospital

³ James Brunton Fletcher Mitchell, born 10 March 1920 at Borthwickshiels, Roberton, Roxburghshire, son of Robert Fletcher Mitchell, farmer, and Mary Ann Mitchel née Thomson; his parents had married 4 June 1919 at Ettrick

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

There had been nothing pressing in my absence + David [Graham, co-partner] had been busy chiefly with his surgical cases at Mauldsheugh + the Home. I saw 4 town cases + cycled to Bowhill where there was a message to see Mrs Ordish¹. Afterwards I ran down to Bridgelands to see old James Hardie². Helen was at a dance at the Firs³. Jack motored her there.

¹ Hannah Ordish (about 1845-1920), housekeeper at Bowhill

² James Hardie, retired, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Bridgelands Lodge, Galashiels in 1920 Valuation Roll

³ Home of the Smith family – Patrick Smith, advocate, Alice Smith née Paterson and Alice B S Smith

^* As a footnote to a previous entry, on this day Stanley J H Durnford was born at 20 Melville Street, Edinburgh, the son of Norman Stanley M Durnford of Stoke Bishop, Bristol, managing director of a limited company, and Agnes Durnford née Harper, married 2 July 1918 at Edinburgh

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

A bright sunny morning + sharp frost. Snow lying at Prestwick + till we got to Muirkirk. I had a good sleep. Breakfasted at 9 + left at 10 with Jack + Nancy. Called for Jessie who is looking very thin + worn. We went back as we came via Douglas + Abington + had a splendid run, Jack’s car attaining 50 m.p.h. Got to Moffat at 1 + Stewart came to lunch. Afterwards we went + saw the boys of St Ninian’s at football but it was so cold that I left + started to walk homewards. Jack picked me up between the 6^th + 7^th milestones + we reached Selkirk at 6 in time for a lot of consultations. There has been nothing the least pressing. I find that the distance from Moffat to Ayr via Muirkirk is 66 [miles] + via Nithsdale 73.

¹ John ‘Jack’ Roberts and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir

² Jessie Logan Miller née Rennie (1860-1920), daughter of James Rennie (1826-1924), Presbyterian minister, and Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir (1829-1915), Dr J S Muir’s sister, she had married Edward Caird Miller, iron and steel founder, in 1891

³ St Ninian’s Preparatory School was a private preparatory school for boys from 1879 until after the Second World War

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Yet another sudden change. Snowing this morning but soon faired + it was a lovely day till 4 or 5. The high hills were very white but the snow did not lie on the low ground. We started at 10 + just before, I got a message to Cramalt + Jack kindly took me there. It was to see John Hogg’s old mother¹. We had a fine run to Moffat + got there at 12.30. Stewart² + 2 boy friends had lunch with us + after lunch Jack took them for a run [?] while I walked about 3 miles up the old Edinburgh road, crossed by a bridge + came back by the high Road³. I enjoyed it immensely + got a fine view of snow clad Hartfell. We left Moffat at 4.30 + went to Prestwick via Abington + Douglas⁴. It began to snow near Inch + we found the country all white from Muirkirk to the Coast. Arrived at Ladyton about 7 + gave Rennie⁵ a surprise. It turned out to be his 94th birthday. Gillespie⁶ the Minister called to congratulate him. Jack + Nancy went on to Ayr.

¹ John Hogg, shepherd at Cramilt [Cramalt], Yarrow, is shown on the 1920 Valuation Roll and Isabella Hogg née Nichol, died 22 May 1921 at Cramalt, Yarrow, aged 82, informant John Hogg, son, and certified by “John S Muir MB etc Selkirk”, she was the widow of John Hogg, shepherd

² Stewart Muir Roberts (1908-2003), Dr Muir’s grandson was at school at Moffat

³ The old road ran east of the River Annan while the newer route peeled left at the top of Academy Road, crossed the ‘New Bridge’ and ran towards Edinburgh west of the Annan

⁴ After leaving Moffat the travellers would have travelled over Beattock (along the route of what is now the M74) and to Abington and then, at a point not immediately obvious, westward towards Ayr

⁵ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister, a former Moderator of the U.P. Church, resident of Prestwick and Dr Muir’s brother in law

⁶ The Reverend Alexander Gibson, B.D., Minister of South U.F. Church and living at South U.F. Church Manse, 53 St Quivox Road, Monkton, Prestwick [1920 Valuation Roll]

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

Mild + wet at first: then cold + wetter. S.W. + N.W. Was at Mauldshegh giving Chlor[oform] from 10 til 11.45: then walked to Ettrickhaugh Road + back by Forest Road + later to Ashybank + Hospital (now empty). Was in house from 2 till 5.30 when I was called to Dunreay to see Andrew Brown¹. Jack + Nancy² going to Moffat + Ayr tomorrow + have arranged to go with them? to see Rennie³.

¹ Andrew Brown, hosiery manufacturer, resident Dunreay, Selkirk

² John ‘Jack’ Roberts and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir

³ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and Dr Muir’s brother in law; widower of Catherine Stewart Muir

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

The clouds lifted a bit + there was some sunshine at least up till 3, there was a sharp W. wind + the roads, horribly sticky, got a little drier. I had a nasty dull pain in my left hip joint which made walking painful but I was all right cycling which I did, first to Ettrickhaugh, ?, Beechwood + Bowhill, + then to Longmoss + back by Lindean to Bridgelands, I’m all 15.1 [miles]. Helen [Muir] had Miss Brunton to tea. I applied for £200 of 10% Cumulative Preferred Ordinary Stock of the P.C.J.

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

A dull sunless damp mild day. I got quite hot walking with a Burberry. Very little to do. David [Graham, co-partner] is gradually monopolising the work, especially the County. I saw 7 town cases: marked out some paid accounts: cleared some letters of [sic] my table + paid some charities. Helen + Nancy¹ walked to Boleside², crossed the ferry, walked to Melrose + back to Lindean. Helen bought a pair of brass candlesticks for my marriage present to Sarah Twentyman³.

¹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), two of Dr Muir’s daughters

² The Abbotsford Ferry crossed the River Tweed at Boleside, just below the confluence of the Tweed and the Ettrick Water

³ It is not what Sarah Twentyman’s connection is with Selkirk or with Dr Muir (though it may become clear in time when the Editor tackles the pre-1914 diaries) but Sarah Swinburn Twentyman (1877-1963) married Nicholas Stick, June Quarter 1920, Cockermouth Registration District; see 4 February 1920 diary for more detail

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

A day of damp + drizzle which utterly spoiled the roads. Had very little to do, but in afternoon had to go over to Ashkirk Toll¹ to see John Lambert². He has been on my panel from the beginning + has never needed me till now. Message to Miss Dunn at 9 p.m. David had to go late to Caddonfoot Manse. Dined at Forest Club³ with Sandy Roberts⁴. 10 members + 5 guests. Gen. Jardine, Chester Knowe⁵ were there + Forbes Gordon⁶ who lives at Ashiestiel. Plummer Chair⁷. Gala Croupier⁸. There has not been a dinner since 5/5/14 when I was Jo. Scott’s guest⁹.

¹ Assume the toll house, which is still there, near the Ashkirk road end; it is shown as T.P. on Ordnance Survey 25 inch Roxburghshire Sheet XIX, surveyed 1858 and published 1863 – see https://maps.nls.uk/view/74428477

² John Lambert (1853-1927), shepherd, later road labourer, was tenant at Bridgend, Ashkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll

³ The Forest Club (a Selkirk based sporting club) reports this meeting of 2 March 1920 in its minutes, held at the Heritage Hub, Hawick, reference SBA/584/4, which document its membership, administration, activities and finances; this diary entry is the clearest evidence yet that Dr Muir did not consistently allocate events to their correct dates

⁴ Alexander Fowler ‘Sandy’ Roberts (1844-1929), woollen manufacturer, of Fairnilee; Dr Muir was his guest at this meeting

⁵ Brigadier General James Bruce Jardine (1870-1955), C.M.G., D.S.O., D.L., British soldier and diplomat, later a Deputy Lieutenant for Roxburghshire, he lived at Chesterknowes, Bowden; General Jardine was the guest of Charles W Dunlop at the Forest Club meeting

⁶ Major Arthur Dalrymple Forbes Gordon (1873-1931), of Ashiestiel, Clovenfords, formerly of Greenknowe, Berwickshire; at the 1920 meeting he was proposed as a member, as was Jardine of Chesterknowe [sources include http://www.roskildehistorie.dk/stamtavler/adel/Forbes/Forbes-Gordon.htm]

⁷ Charles Henry Scott Plummer (1859-1948), J.P., Lord-Lieutenant, of Middlestead and Sunderland Hall was Preses at the 2 March 1920 Forest Club meeting

⁸ ‘Gala’ refers to John Scott of Gala, Gala House, Galashiels

⁹ The meeting of May 1914 was very sparsely attended; Dr Muir was guest at the earlier meeting of John Corse Scott (1854-1919), D.L. ‘of Synton; J C Scott died in 1919 after suffering the loss of his two sons, one daughter and two sons-in-law during or because of the First World War

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