Some rain in forenoon but fair in evening. S.W. tending to N.W. August holidays begin: some of the Mills for 3 weeks1. Jack, Nancy, Jock2 + Donald Rutherford3 left for Cartmell + Barrow4. I had almost nothing to do. Was at Hospital. 3 Diphs were dismissed [?] on Thursday + 3 Scarlets yesterday, leaving 18. Worked all day at my record cards + finished [the letter] L. Dora5 + the Patricks6 were at Elmpark7 for tea.
1 The post-war slump appears to have prompted a number of mills to extend their usual ‘factory fortnight’
2 John ‘Jack’ Roberts and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir, John ‘Jock’ Roberts, one of their sons
3 Donald Rutherford was a friend of Jock’s, probably from his school at Moffat
4 Cartmell and Barrow, on the south edge of the Lake District, both then in Lancashire but incorporated into the new Cumbria in 1974
5 Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter
6 The Patrick’s have proved very hard to identify, see diary entry for 5 August 1921
7 Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
Showery in afternoon + pretty wet [?] at night. Robert Tait1, Goslaw Green came home yesterday from the Infirmary where he had his prostate removed by Pussy Stewart2. Dav.3 operated on Mrs ? Henderson4 (Buxton) at Viewfield + I gave Chlor[oform]. I had little else to do. Dora5, Tina + Chrissie6 had tea in the Deanburn7 + called for Boylan8. Read a story by Sir Geo. Douglas “A Man of Letters9 which Mrs Mack10 gave me.
1 Robert Tait, powerloom tuner, was tenant of a house at Goslaw Green, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/224, Selkirk Burgh, page 224 of 644]
2 William James ‘Pussy’ Stuart (1873-1959), C.B.E., M.B., F.R.C.S.Ed., medical practitioner, consultant surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and sometime president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; Born 17 December 1873, at 7 Northumberland Street, Edinburgh (but not registered until 6 March 1874), the son of the Reverend Doctor John Stuart, Minister of St Andrew’s Parish, Edinburgh, and Jessie Stuart née Duncan, married 14 May 1867 at Edinburgh. Sources: Statutory BMDs; the British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 5122, 1959, pp. 652–652. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25386853http://www.jstor.org/stable/25386853. Accessed 31 Oct. 2022.
3 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
4 The wife of William Henderson, woodman and tenant at Buxton, or Buckstone as the Valuation Roll calls it [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/334, Selkirk County, page 334 of 611]
5 Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, Tina, Chrissie
6 Assume Christina Robertson Patrick née Rodger (about 1846-1924) and Christina Robertson Rodger ‘Christy’ or ‘Chrissie’ Patrick (1889-1960), one of her daughters, but the genealogy is not helped by the parents’ changes to names – Constance in the birth registration becomes Christina by the 1891 Census, the same given name as her younger sister Christina R R Patrick who appears in the same census, and their sister Andrina Edith Patrick was called Alexandria in the same Census; the Editor has ruled out Constance Mary ‘Christina’ Patrick (1882-) being either of the Patricks at Selkirk at this time in 1921 on the basis of her being referred to as Connie by Dr Muir on 16 August 1920
7 Presumably tea was taken in the woodland along the Dean Burn, Selkirk, which runs across the bottom of Pringle Park and along the south edge of Shawpark
8 John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, acquaintance of Dr Muir, sometime of Shawmount and Shawpark, Selkirk
9 Sir George Brisbane Scott Douglas 5th Baronet (1856-1935), of Springwood Park, Kelso, who had published a novel ‘The Man of Letters’ in 1903
10 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
Though not quite so clear as yesterday it was a fairly good day + there were just a few drops of rain. I motored to Hospital + Oakhurst + picked up Donald Rutherford (Jock’s chum)1 + Dav. Welsh2 (…) at Wellwood. Jock3 cycled on ahead of me + we picked him up at Blackhaugh4. The walk was wonderfully dry + we got to Windlestrawlaw5 about 2. We saw Edinburgh, Fife (not distinct), N. B. Law6, Bass Rock, Tinto7 +c. Found a lot of white heather + got a few cloud berries8. Baptie9 met us at Glentress. There is no doubt the easiest way to Windlestrawlaw is from the [text deleted] there [sic]. D.R. cycled to Innerleithen where we had tea. We found Jock as far back as Fairnilea where his back tyre collapsed + then he + his bike were taken aboard the good old Swift10. This is the 4th time I have been up Windlestrawlaw + I got the best view on this occasion. Dined at Elmpark11 + had a rubber at whist when Lady B12 + I again won. Dora13 had the Smiths14 to tea.
1 Donald Rutherford was a friend of Jock’s, presumably from school, but otherwise unidentified
2 David Welsh is not identified
3 John ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), one of Dr Muir’s grandsons
4 Assume Blackhaugh, west of Clovenfords, grid reference NGR NT424,383
5 Windlestraw Law, 659m, north of Walkerburn, grid reference NGR NT37128,43091
6 North Berwick Law, 187m, to the south of North Berwick, East Lothian, grid reference NGR NT555,842
7 Tinto, 711m, west of Biggar, South Lanarkshire, grid reference NGR 95322,34368
8 Cloudberry, also Knotberry, rubus chamaemorus, is the County Flower of Peeblesshire
9 Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir
10 The Swift Motor Company made Swift Cars in Coventry; it is not clear which model Dr Muir owned of this small motor manufacturer’s many products but it had been the ‘workhorse’ car for the practice since Dr Muir had acquired it some time before August 1914 [Source: ‘Swift Models 1901-1931’, http://www.theswiftclub.co.uk%5D
11 Elm Park, Selkirk was the home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)
12 Assume Lady Belhaven and Stenton, The Hon. Georgina Hamilton née Watson (1856-1940), mother of Lady Napier of Thirlestane and sister of Agnes Mackintosh
13 Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter
14 Assume the Smiths of Lauriston, Philiphaugh
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
Streets wet this morning but it cleared up + was a lovely afternoon. I walked down to Hospital: gave Chlor[oform] to Turnbull1 of Kirkhope at Viewfield: walked out to Buxton + at 2 motored to Thirlestane + Craighill2 taking Chrissie3 + we returned via Rankleburn and Borthwickbrae. The atmosphere was absolutely clear + the hills lovely. The rain has had a wonderful effect on them already.
1 George Moodie Turnbull (about 1871-1942), farmer, was a tenant of a number of properties at Kirkhope and Newhouse, Kirkhope parish [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/319, Selkirk County, page 319 of 611]
2 Assume Christina Robertson ‘Christy’ Patrick (1889-), daughter of Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger and David Patrick, solicitor
3 Craighill, Ettrick was the home of John Laidlaw Anderson, shepherd, and Grace Linton Anderson née Davidson (about 1888-), his second wife, who had her first baby 1921 but had health problems afterwards
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
Rather a nice day + no rain but the slates were wet in the morning. Motored out to Buxton with David1 + gave Mrs Henderson2 Chlor[oform] for thorough P.V. Did the Hospital3 + some other 7 cases. Sent in another Diph. making 12. Took swabs from 4 + sent them off. Dora4 had Lady Belhaven5, Mrs Simpson6, Mrs Mack7 + Nancy8 for tea. My Dyspepsia troubling me yesterday + today with the usual seedy feeling.
1 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
2 William Henderson, woodman, was tenant at Buxton, or Buckstone as the Valuation Roll calls it [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/334, Selkirk County, page 334 of 611]
3 The Infectious Diseases Hospital (19th-20th Century), was at Buxton, grid reference NGR NT48515,28659, just east of Ashburn and Buxton Cottage at the north end of the Selkirk Hills, see Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire sheet XII.NW, revised 1930 [Source: Canmore ID 353686 Canmore Permalink]
4 Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter
5 The Hon. Georgina Hamilton née Watson (1856-1940), Lady Belhaven and Stenton, sister of Agnes Mackintosh, later Harper, née Watson (1849-1856) and Margaret ‘Maggie’ Simpson née Watson (1857-1939)
6 Margaret ‘Maggie’ Simpson née Watson (1857-1939), see footnote above
7 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk
8 Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
A lot of rain + drizzle up the valleys + down here from 5 or 6 o’clock. I was called for Mrs Anderson1, Craighill after breakfast + motored up. Found her in Labour but did not get her over till 3 (Chlor, forceps)2. There was no one there but an unmarried sister + I had to wash + dress the baby. I went down + saw Lord Napier3. What a Poltroon!4 He squirmed like a baby when I tried to remove a stitch + gave him an enema. Got tea + most excellent ham + eggs before leaving Craighill. There had been a message to Buxton which Dav. did. Tina5 + the girls were at Lauriston6 for tea.
1 Grace Linton Anderson née Davidson (about 1888-), second wife of John Laidlaw Anderson, shepherd, married 1919 at Ettrick; John L Anderson, shepherd, was at Craighill, Ettrick, in the 1920 Valuation Roll
2 Johan Muir Anderson, born 1 August 1921 at Craighill, Ettrick, daughter of John Laidlaw Anderson, shepherd, and Grace Linton Anderson née Davidson, married 7 March 1919, Ettrick
3 Francis Edward Basil Napier (1876-1941), 12th Lord Napier and 3rd Lord Ettrick, J.P., Captain; soldier and courtier described variously described by Dr Muir as ‘The Weakling Lord’, ‘An Awful Ass’ and now “Poltroon” he appears to have been a constant irritant of Dr Muir’s, who criticised him for evading military service, which he had indeed sought to do – Lord Napier was charged with being absent without leave but failed to show at his trial at the Sheriff Court on the 13 August 1917, was fined and entered Berwick Barracks a few days later as an ordinary soldier – and on 25 September 1919 Dr Muir, fed up that Lord Napier had upset Lady Napier (Mrs Mackintosh’s niece), called him “… that prince of snobs and dipsomaniacs.”
4 Poltroon is a rather literary word meaning utter coward
5 Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (about 1846-1924)
6 Lauriston, Selkirk was home of Katie Smith née Locke (about 1854-1934), widow of Thomas Smith, tweed manufacturer, and some of her (adult) children
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
There were evidences of recent rain this morning but it kept fine all day + there was some sunshine. S.W. All I did was walk to the Hospital + see 3 cases on the way. Went to Communion + not being required to officiate was in my own pew with Dora1 + Chrissie2. Went to evening service also + during the day plodded on at the record cards3. Dora has a very inflamed ankle from insect bites.
1 Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter
2 Assume Christina Robertson ‘Christy’ Patrick (1889-), daughter of Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger and David Patrick, solicitor
3 Dr Muir appears to have kept up with new financial systems and in 1916 noted “Took some accounts with me & arranged them & also wrote out new Insurance cards which are to supersede the Daybook … Got all my New Year clerical work finished & started my new combined Daybook & ledger.” Saturday 1 January 1916
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
Milder + S.W. Fair up till about 5 + very wet after. Ettrick full but not flooded. Sent Jo. Riddell1, Backrow + his wife to Hospital with Diphtheria, their 2 kids being there already. Gave gas to the girl Bloomfield2 + Dav. opened an abscess in her chin. Met Geo. Rodger3 at Hospital gate + walked up to the town with him. Cycled to Curror Street, Dunsdale, Ettrickhaugh Cottages before work on record cards. Went down to Hosp. after dinner. Tina4 + the girls went to Bridgelands5 for tea.
1 John Riddell, millworker, was tenant of a house at Backrow, Selkirk but it has not been possible to identify his family [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/150, Selkirk Burgh, page 150 of 644]
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
3 George Rodger may be George Frederick Eck Rodger (1873-1956), son of George Rodger and Elizabeth Charlotte Eck; he was based in Cheshire but his mother was proprietor of Bridgelands, Selkirk
Torrential rain last night + some in the forenoon but fair after. There was a glint of sunshine at sunset + the glass was rising. I was 3x at Hospital + the girl Daisy Riddell1 with Diph + epistoris died at 6.20. I did little else + feel as if my mission in life was ended. David2 does all the work + I am gradually being shelved even in the matter of keeping the books. The girls + Tina3 motored over to tea with the Patons4 + returned by train.
1 Martha Riddell, woollen millworker, died 29 July 1921, aged 18, at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Selkirk, of “Diphtheria 6 days”; of 74 Back Row, Selkirk, she was the daughter of Jane Riddell, woollen millworker, who had afterwards (1915) married James Smith, general labourer
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
3 Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (about 1846-1924)
4 Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929) and Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940), sisters living on their own means at Galashiels since they flitted in May 1918
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
A very wet day with some short fair intervals. Wind returned to E. I have really very little to do except at the Hospital where there were now 10 Scarlet + 2 Diph. Only the latter had still Epistaxis1 today + I had to renew the plugs + give Adrenalin intravenously. Distributed my Communion Cards + dined at Elmpark2where we had Mrs Simpson3 and Lady Belhaven4 there + we had a rubber of Whist. Wrote Charlie Boucher5 declining an invitation to visit him.
1 Epistaxis is bleeding from the nose
2 Elmpark, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946)
4 The Hon. Georgina Hamilton née Watson (1856-1940), Lady Belhaven and Stenton and Agnes Mackintosh’s sister
5 Dr Muir and his daughter Helen had been invited to visit Charles James ‘Charlie’ Boucher (1877-1947), locum to Dr Muir in 1902, born Belfast, was a medical student in Snaith and Cowick, Yorkshire, West Riding in 1901 and returned to Ireland before 1915, to general practice at Donaghcloney, Co. Down, marriage in 1911 to Martha Louise Denison, and eventual death; Boucher’s aunt with whom he was living in 1901 was Jane Shearburn née Auld, daughter of Charles Auld of Greenock and Isabella Auld née Logan, sister of Jane Logan, Dr Muir’s mother, making Dr Muir and Jane Shearburn first cousins, their shared grandparents being the Reverend James Logan and Catherine Stewart
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 