Author: rumblingclint

There was a message to see Jack + I found him all upset + nervous over the chairmanship of the supper tonight. He had to give it up. He hadn’t slept for the last two nights. Walked from Wellwood to Curror Street, Dandswall Lodge + Backrow. About 2 got ‘phone from Bowhill about Lady Nap Bowhill about Mrs Ordish¹ + a still room maid whom I found with Dip. + sent to Hospital. Saw Lady Mary². Went to supper to returned soldiers in Victoria Hall. Went down to Wellwood for Munro + took him back there after. Supper great success, over 400 present. Co-op store did it well.

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

² This may refer to Lady Mary Theresa Montagu Douglas Scott later Cecil (1904-1984)

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

A dry day with a strong sharp W.N.W. wind. Bella [Paulin] still in bed. Walked to Curror Street, Ashybank, Sloethornbank, Heather Mill [parenthesis scored out] Mauldsheugh (Lady N.¹), Glebe + then to Bank, Kirkwynd, Backrow + Tait’s Hill. Made out list of accounts. David [Graham] came to tea + we put up most of the County ones [accounts].

¹ Clarice Jessie Evelyn Napier née Hamilton (1881-1951), the Hon., Lady Napier

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

A slight touch of frost which quite disappeared but there was a sharp N.W. wind + in the forenoon a little rain. I started to bicycle + went to Bleachfield Road (Mrs W Smith curetting), Hospital + Goslaw Green but came back for the car + did Harewoodglen + Newarkburn + after lunch had to go back to Bowhill to see Lady Mary¹ (suspicion of chickenpox) + then to Yair, so I got nothing more done at the accounts. Helen had tea with the Peeresses² at Elmpark.

¹ This may refer to Lady Mary Theresa Montagu Douglas Scott later Cecil (1904-1984)

² This refers to the group of titled women who were descendants of Sir John Watson (1819-1898), 1st Bt. of Earnock and Neilsland, Scottish coal owner, including Ladies Lady Belhaven and Stenton, Hemphill and Napier – see also diary entries for 15th and 16th January 1920

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

Change to cold weather again. N.W. wind + a few flakes of snow but a good deal of sunshine. Saw a town list of 13 + got to the accounts at 1 + finished them at 10.30 p.m. Bella¹ still in bed but rather better. Mousey² working away like a Trojan except when she paid a visit to the dentist. Louise + Stewart³ came to say good bye [sic] before going back to school. Fed them on chocolates.

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

² Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and housekeeper

³ Louisa Jane ‘Louise’ Roberts (1906-1982) and Stewart Muir Roberts (1908-2003), two of Dr Muir’s grandchildren

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

A mild dark rainy day, at least showering. Saw some cases + met Dav. at Walker, Glebe Terrace at 11 when he curetted Lizzie¹ + then at the House [Mauldsheugh], Annie Little². From there I walked to the Hospital where I have sent McColl’s housekeeper, McPherson who, I suspect, has been prigging³ his wine. Was in the house after 1.30. Made out some accounts. Bella⁴ in bed with a combination of asthma, cystitis + lumbago! Helen⁵ had all the work + we supped in the kitchen off an excellent rabbit pie of her making + stewed apples with whipped cream.

¹ Perhaps Elizabeth Walker, fancy draper, who was at 16 Glebe Terrace, then aged 39, in the 1911 Census

² Assume Ann Helen ‘Annie’ Little (1894-1968), Red Cross VAD holder of Red or White Stripe, of Hawkshaw, Kirkhope, Selkirkshire, Dr Muir’s servant for 6½ years until early 1918 when she left go to Moffat Hydro Military Hospital on V.A.D. work [Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922]

³ Stealing, thieving: a common usage in England but not Scots it appears

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

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

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

Mild windy + wet all day till evening when the sky cleared + the temperature fell. I had hoped to cycle (+ actually did to Bleachfield Road + Goslaw Green) but it was too wet so I motored to Cannon Street, Yair + Hospital. Made out some accounts + got on with [the letter] P. Helen Nancy took Helen in Tricar to the Meet at Ashkirk + they followed to Woll, Grundistone, Dimpleknowe, Newhouse, Harelaw, Netherow + Lilliesleaf¹.

¹ Nancy Roberts and Helen Muir have followed the hunt in a south easterly direction from the Woll through the Groundistone area (as centred on kilometre square grid reference NGR NT4919) before turning north and east to Lilliesleaf via Dimpleknowe (grid reference NT503,227), Newhouse (NT521,235), Harelaw (NT533,231) and Netherraw (NT553,238)

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

An extraordinary mild day, with the temp. in my room 50^o + the Surgery lobby running with moisture. Lady Napier¹ curetted. Saw about 14 town cases + didn’t get tea till 2.45. Got very little done at accounts. Called at Elmpark + told Lady B.² about the operation on Lady Napier. Saw Agnes Durnford³. Mrs Laidlaw, Castle Street (formerly Haining Lodge) in the most awful state of [illegible words]. Saw Nurse Beck about her. Fowler¹ wanted her moved to Poorhouse but she was quite unfit.

¹ Clarice Jessie Evelyn Napier née Hamilton (1881-1951), the Hon., Lady Napier

¹ Georgina Hamilton née Watson (1856-1940), the Hon., Lady Belhaven and Stenton

¹ Agnes Watson Durnford née Harper (1888-1976)

¹ James Laidlaw and Isabella Laidlaw née Christopherson (about 1854-1920) were at Haining West Lodge in 1911 Census and had married there in 1889; she died the next day, 17th January, at 61 Castle Street, Selkirk, aged 66, of “general debility” certified by John S Muir M.B.

¹ William Fowler (about 1863-1933), Inspector of Poor and Registrar, Selkirk

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

Another quick + unexpected change to fresh + quick dispatch of the snow but of course the hills are all white. I had a good day at the accounts from about 1 interrupted by a visit from Mrs Mc., Lady Belhaven + Lady Hemphill¹. I sat on at them [accounts] after nine. Helen had tea at Elmpark with Agnes Durnford². She had a wire from Mrs Little asking her to go to Bedford immediately + of course declined. David [Graham, co-partner] did Yair + Sunderland Hall.

¹ Agnes Watson Durnford née Harper (1888-1976)

¹ Agnes Mackintosh, née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk; Georgina Hamilton née Watson (1856-1940), the Hon., Lady Belhaven and Stenton, and May Clarke Mary Nisbet Hemphill née Hamilton (1879-1970), Lady Hemphill – as noted in diary entry for 14 January 1920 all of those footnoted are direct descendants of Sir John Watson (1819-1898), 1st Bt. of Earnock and Neilsland, Scottish coal owner

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

More snow again + more than yesterday with a clearer colder looking sky at sun rise. Pretty hard frost. Saw 11 town cases including Mrs Johnstone, Glebe, Rectory + Tait’s Hill. Got to accounts at 1 + stuck closely at them till ? ? David was at Harewoodglen seeing W. Lang + did Scaurneuk for me. The Durnfords¹ arrived at Elmpark also Lady Belhaven² + her daughter Lady Hemphill³ + Lady Napier⁴ came to Mauldsheugh.

¹ Agnes Watson Durnford née Harper (1888-1976) and her husband Major Norman Stanley M Durnford (1889-1965)

² Georgina Hamilton née Watson (1856-1940), the Hon., Lady Belhaven and Stenton

³ May Clarke Mary Nisbet Hemphill née Hamilton (1879-1970), the Hon., Lady Hemphill; daughter of Lady Belhaven (above), sister of Lady Napier (below) and cousin of Agnes Watson Durnford (above)

⁴ Clarice Jessie Evelyn Napier née Hamilton (1881-1951), the Hon., Lady Napier

[As noted in Dr Muir’s diary entry for 10th January there was clearly a reunion underway of the ‘Watsons’ – all of the individuals footnoted above and also Agnes Maude Ethel Stowe née Simpson (1878-) from 10 January 1920 were the daughters or granddaughters of Sir John Watson (1819-1898), 1st Bt. of Earnock and Neilsland, Scottish coal owner and his first wife Agnes Simpson]

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

A fresh sprinkling of snow this morning but it was fresh + raining during the day + at night. Motored to Bleachfield Road, Glebe Lane [?] + on to Yair + Sunderland Hall. Spent most of the afternoon at the accounts. D. [David] was in the town. Carlota Rodger¹ has suddenly had to leave for Cape Town on a visit + called for a certificate of health. Sent P.C.s [post cards] to Jean + Dora² about patients at Bangour + Craigleith³ viz James Jamieson + John Smith at former + James Ballantyne at latter.

¹ Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger (1884-), Dr Muir’s wife’s 1st Cousin Once Removed, at Bridgelands, Selkirk, 1901 Census and wartime V.A.D. at Bowhill

² Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse; Dr Muir’s eldest and youngest daughters respectively

³ Bangour Village Hospital, a psychiatric hospital at Dechmont, West Lothian and Craigleith, now the Western General Hospital

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