Another delightful day. Calm + mild. It was our Communion + I was all ready to go when a hurried message came to see Mrs Heard¹, Castle Street. Thinking it might be a confin^t I went up to find it was alright there but it made me too late for church. Poor old Tom Dunn² died at 5 this morning: another of my oldest friends gone. There is no doubt the shock of Tom Roberts’ death³ brought on his illness. I called for Miss D.⁴ I had also to see Robert Currie Sen.^r5 with haemoptysis. Went to evening service where Smith of the Congregational⁶ preached. Mrs Mack⁷, Nancy + Jack⁸ came to supper.

¹ Janet Louisa Heard was born 1921, Selkirk [778/ 40, Selkirk], daughter of Walter Heard and May Heard née Avery; Walter Heard was Tenant Occupier of a house at 45 Castle Street, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll

² Thomas ‘Tom’ Dunn (about 1844-1921), druggist, chemist and Registrar, of 9 High Street, Selkirk, died 13 February 1921, aged 77 [death, 1921, 778/ 13, Selkirk]

³ Thomas James Scougal ‘Tom’ Roberts (1850-1921), tweed manufacturer, had died on 3 February in Edinburgh

⁴ Miss Hyndmer Rutherford Dunn (about 1843-1922), sister of Thomas ‘Tom’ Dunn (above) and Tenant Occupier of a house at 13 High Street, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/113, Selkirk Burgh, page 113 of 644]

⁵ Assume Robert Currie (c.1847-1923), hosiery manufacturer, of Rockville, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk

⁶ Assume the Reverend Richard Smith of Philiphaugh Congregational Church Manse, Russell Place, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/141, Selkirk Burgh, page 141 of 644]

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 and John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966), Dr Muir’s son-in-law

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

Visibility better: a calm mild day no frost. N.W. Tom Dunn¹ still here + showing first + faint trace of consciousness. He can hardly see through tonight. Saw him + some other cases walking + then cycled to …burn Place, Forest Road, Fairnilee (Nest) and Peelburnfoot. Felt very fagged + out of cycling form. Had some dyspepsia. Stopped on Neidpath hillside + had a rest + smoke. Spent the afternoon looking over my nursing lectures. Helen² lunched at Mauldsheugh + went to Lilliesleaf with Dav. + Norah³.

¹ Thomas ‘Tom’ Dunn (about 1844-1921), druggist, chemist and Registrar, of 9 High Street, Selkirk

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

³ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner and Norah Campion Graham née West (1887-1971), his wife

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

Heavy hoar frost but it got quite mild during the day, calm + cloudy, lovely sun rise + sunset. Feeling a little dyspeptic. Motored to Miller¹, Fairnilee + Peelburnfoot after seeing Tom Dunn² (who is no better) + some others. In the afternoon walked to Hall³, Whitmuirhall with Communion card + called for Mrs Neil⁴, Whitmuir. Distributed Communion cards between 1 + 2. David⁵ cut down some branches at Viewfield + Baptie⁶ got a fall off steps on which he was standing.

¹ Peter Miller, gamekeeper, was Inhabitant Occupier of a house ‘Robin’s Nest’ on the Fairnilee estate, Caddonfoot [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/309, Selkirk County, page 309 of 611

² Thomas ‘Tom’ Dunn (c.1844-1921), druggist, chemist and Registrar, of 9 High Street, Selkirk

³ William Hall, dairyman, was Inhabitant Occupier of a cottage at Whitmuir, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/333, Selkirk County, page 333 of 611]

⁴ Adam Neil, joiner, was Inhabitant Occupier of a house at Whitmuir, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/333, Selkirk County, page 333 of 611]

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

⁶ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

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

Hard frost again but less rime + consequently drier roads. N.W. [wind]. Message to see Tom Dunn¹ before breakfast. Found he had severe cerebral haemorrhage + right hemiplegia with aphasia. He was almost completely unconscious but recovered a little. Saw him 4 times. Motored to M Glendinning², Peelburnfoot + in afternoon to Ettrickbridgend to see [illegible] Mrs Smith³ living with Tom Mitchell⁴ + then to Henhouse. Helen⁵ had a tea party [illegible] 10 ladies. Went to lecture by Mr Jardine⁶ of Berwick.

¹ Thomas ‘Tom’ Dunn (about 1844-1921), druggist, chemist and Registrar, of 9 High Street, Selkirk

² Michael Glendinning, retired farmer, of Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot parish [1919 Valuation Roll] and formerly the tenant at Williamhope [1905 Valuation Roll]

³ Betsy Ann Smith née McKenzie (about 1838-1921), widow of John Smith

⁴ Jane Kennedy Mitchell, wife of William R Mitchell, timber manager, was proprietor of a house and garden at Ettrickbridgend, Kirkhope identified as property No. 121 on the 1920 Valuation Roll and only named “Fairholme” on the Valuations for 1923 onwards

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

⁶ Not identified

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

Heard a Shilfa¹ at Elm Cottage

Sharp hoar frost + a clear sunny day with slight N. wind. A very pleasant change. Roads hard + slippery but muddy in afternoon. Had a small town list. Finished posting January [accounts]: not a very good month. Made up a note of my liabilities with accts + books. They came to about £166 + I have only about £46 to meet them. Painting the house, renewing the gates &c + expenses at Viewfield come to a lot. Mrs Andrew Linton² called. Tom Mitchell has announced his engagement to Miss Suttie³ who is companion at Oakwood. Jack⁴ is in bed with diarrhoea.

¹ SHILFA, n. Also -faw, -flaw, -fie, -f(e)y, shillfa, schilfa, shelfa, -fie, sheelfa, and reduced forms shillie, -y, shellie, -y (Fif.), sheelie, -y, sheilie, shully. The chaffinch, Fringilla caelebs (Ags. 1784 Gentleman’s Mag. II. 505; Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bwk. 1889 G. Muirhead Birds Bwk. I. 162; Cai. 1907 J. Horne County Cai. 374; Ayr. 1909 Science Gossip (Aug.) 227; Cai., m. and s.Sc. 1970). Also in Nhb. dial. [Source: ‘Dictionar o the Scots Leid’]

² Victoria Winona Linton née Johnstone (about 1890-1957), wife of Andrew Linton (1876-1951)

³ Assume Gladys May Wallace Suttie and Thomas Mitchell who married 1921 [Statutory BMDs 685/159, Liberton]; Gladys (1901-1926), daughter of John Wallace Suttie, advocate, and Charlotte Suttie née Kay, died aet 24 in Edinburgh, usual residence Shadyside, Ettrickbridge

⁴ John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, Dr Muir’s son-in-law

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

Another posting in the occasional series of 1913 diary entries

Beautiful morning. Roads drying: no rain: wind moderate until night when it rose again. Was able to cycle all round the town + to Pinegrove, Muthag Street +c, Bridge Street, Ettickhaugh Road +c in all 5-6 miles. Started to make out some accounts which I can count on getting quickly.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1913]

Weathercock round to W. but very cold, calm. It was dry in forenoon but very dull + dank. There was a shower of fine snow in the afternoon which didn’t lie. I saw a few town cases + walked out to Henhouse. Wrote Jean + Dora¹. Posted January [accounts] as far as [the letter] M. Attended meeting of War Memorial Sub Committee in Town Hall.

¹ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

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

Another posting in the occasional series of 1913 diary entries

Mrs Jas. Hogg¹, Fairnilee died at 12.20 a.m. She has been an invalid for more than 20 years. Breakfasted for 1^st time without gas light².

Rather a nice morning + mild, but after midday another violent Sou’ wester developed. Motored to Sunderland Hall, Heatherly, Thirladean, Warrior’s Rest + over Swire³ (quite clear of drifts) to Kirkhope, Ettrickbridgend + Bluecairn⁴. Saw some town cases + distributed Com. [communion] cards in afternoon. Jean⁵ + I went to evening service conducted by Mr Buller⁶. My 68th birthday. Letters from May⁷ + Guy⁸. Nancy⁹ gave me her photo!

¹ Janet Hogg née Anderson (about 1849-1913), wife of James Hogg, chauffeur, of Fairnilee, Caddonfoot, died 7 February 1913 of exophthalmic goitre [Graves disease or toxic diffuse goitre] “many years”, aged 64

² Dr Muir had recorded seeing “them laying the electric cable at Netherbarns on the low road, almost 40 navvies at work.”, see diary entry for 10 November 1920

³ The Swire runs from Yarrow to Kirkhope reaching 349 metres at approximate grid reference NGR NT368,256, just south of Witchie Knowe

⁴ Presumably to visit Robert Johnstone, carpenter, occupier of a house at Bluecairn, Selkirk, 1913 Valuation Roll [Valuation Rolls, VR011700008-/532, Selkirk County, page 532 of 617], see also diary entries for 4th, 5th, 15th, 17th, 18th and 21st February 1913

⁵ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁶ Not identified

⁷ Perhaps Margaret Graham ‘May’ Lang (1861-1968), daughter of Hugh Morris Lang and Margaret Lang née Graham

⁸ Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother

⁹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/16, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1913]

My 76^th birthday + I am feeling as fit as ever! I came up the “Stey Brae”¹ in the afternoon like a hare!! Letters from Jean³, Mary⁴, Guy⁵ + Barbara⁵: a box of Shortbread from the Patons⁶: stockings + chocs from Mrs Mack⁷ who, kind lady, appeared at night with a bottle of Champagne, sandwiches + biscuits. Jack + Nancy⁸ also turned up + they drank my health. I have much + far more than I deserve to be thankful for. Tom Roberts⁹ was buried today but I couldn’t go. I saw a town list of 16 walking + then motored to Bridge Street (lunacy case, Peacock¹⁰) + out to Henhouse. S.E. [wind].

¹ Stey Brae, named “Sta Brae” on historic Ordnance Survey 25 inch sheets, runs from The Valley (formerly Backsides), initially alongside the wall of the site of the old West United Presbyterian Church and Baptist Chapel (Canmore ID 231637, grid reference NGR NT468,285), and on downhill to Mill Street

² Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

³ Assume Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister

⁴ Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother

⁵ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s eldest grandchild

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

⁷ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁸ John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, Dr Muir’s son-in-law, Nancy

⁹ Thomas James Scougal ‘Tom’ Roberts (about 1850-1921), son of George Roberts (c.1798-1877), tweed manufacturer, and Agnes Scott Roberts née Fowler; sometime of Byethorn, Selkirk and Drygrange, Melrose, he died 3 February 1921 at Edinburgh and the Scotland, National Probate Index (Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories) notes that Roberts left estate valued at £253,246

¹⁰ It is not clear which individual might be referred to but George Peacock, weaver, was Tenant Occupier of a house and garden at 1a Bridge Street, Selkirk [1913 Valuation Roll, VR011700008-/538, Selkirk County, page 538 of 617]; George, his wife Margaret Symington and their five children were also at Bridge Street on the 1911 Census [marriage, 1881, 793/ 28, Kelso and 1911 Census, 778/11/ 9, page 9 of 21]

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

Another posting in the occasional series of 1913 diary entries

Another blowy wet day. Slept in this morning: no payers. Mrs Emond¹, Buccleuch Road still living when I saw her this forenoon but died soon after. Motored to Rectory, Sunderland Hall, Yair + Ashiestiel (where I was kept over 2 hours + had to lunch). On my way back, at Gas Works, got message to Mrs McDevitt, Yarrow Terrace but did not stay. Went back after tea. She had a S. [son] at 6².

¹ Mary Emond née Renton (about 1870-1913), daughter of William Renton, blacksmith, and Janet Renton née Douglas, wife of George Emond, died 6 February 1913, aged 35, at Buccleuch Road, Selkirk of “Vomiting of pregnancy, 2 months, nephritis 14 days, and meningitis 8 days” certified by “John S Muir M.B. etc”

² James Tange McDevitt, son of James McDevitt, lime merchant, and Lizzie McDevitt née Boyle, born 6 February 1913, at 12 Yarrow Terrace, Selkirk; the father’s domicile was noted as “Racecourse, Raphoe, Ireland” and the parents had married, 27 October 1910, at Conroy, Co. Donegal, Ireland

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/16, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1913]