This is one of our occasional posts of 1913 transcripts, prompted here by the changes brought about by the The National Insurance Act 1911

1st day for Med. Benefits under Insurance Act¹

Soft + slushy again + quite mild all day till evening when it began to freeze. Nancy² took Stewart³ to Edin. to consult Stiles⁴. Went down to Wellwood + saw them off. Got message to Bell⁵, Magdalen Cottage, Linglie. It was to see George, youngest son of the people I used to attend there many years ago⁶. He is an epileptic + lives there with his brother John + sister Joan⁷. Walked there as Jean⁸ had gone to Melrose in the motor. In the afternoon got message to Miller, Fairnilee⁹ where the younger boy looks like measles. Going down the hill to Yair the near back tyre – studded [word missing], burst. It has run since Aug. 19th. Norman Grieve¹⁰ came at 9 O’clock. Nancy was to have entertained him + a Mrs Howard Kerr¹¹, a lecturer of the Imperial Mission + she has gone to Bridgepark¹².

¹ The National Insurance Act 1911 included “Medical treatment and attendance, including the provision of proper and sufficient medicines, and such medical and surgical appliances as may be prescribed by regulations to be made by the Insurance Commissioners (in this Act called “medical benefit”)”

² Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

³ Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003), Dr Muir’s grandson

⁴ Sir Harold Jalland Stiles (1863-1946), KBE FRCS FRCSE FRSE, MB ChB (Edinburgh) 1885, British surgeon; he held various posts at Edinburgh and in 1919 was to succeed Prof Francis Mitchell Caird (with whom Dr Muir was familiar) as Regius Professor of Clinic Surgery at Edinburgh University

⁵ George Bell (about 1874-1913), sometime bookseller and stationer, born about 1874, Holmfirth, Yorkshire, died at Magdalene Cottage, Linglie Road, Selkirk, 20 January 1913, aged 39, of “Epilepsy 24 years, Cerebral haemorrhage 5 days” ; son of John Bell, tweed designer, and Joan Bell née Scott; see also diary entry for 19 January 1913

⁶ John Bell, designer, appears to have been there since at least 1881 but the property was only named in the Valuation Roll from 1882 when it was recorded as Magdala Cottage [VR011700006-/266, Selkirk County, Page 266 of 513 and VR011700006-/300, Selkirk County, Page 300 of 513]

⁷ Joan Bell (1858-) and John Bell (1859-); his other siblings were Euphemia, Helen, Elizabeth, Alexander, Caroline and Williamina

⁸ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁹ Peter Miller, gamekeeper, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Robin’s Nest on the Fairnilee estate, 1913 Valuation Roll [Valuation Rolls 1913 VR011700008-/517, Selkirk County, Page 517 of 617]

¹⁰ Mrs Howard Kerr is not identified other than as a lecturer for the Imperial Mission; see also diary entry for 16 January 1913

¹¹ Norman Grieve appears to be Norman William Grieve (1852-1936), son of William Grieve and Sarah Clark, born Hawick, who worked in tropical agriculture and as the director of public companies (rubber and tea companies according to A Hawick Word Book); see also diary entries for 16 and 17 January 1913

¹² Bridgepark, Old Bridge Road; Andrew Lusk Allan, manufacturer, was occupier in the 1915 Valuation Roll

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

Another fresh blowy day. Wind more westerly. Helen went to Edin. with Mrs McIntosh at 11. I got a message to see pauper at Bewlie Mains. Cycled over. The roads were very stiff + I soon found I was out of condition. Came back to Lilliesleaf to see Birrell¹ about removing the woman Agnes Scott² (who has cancer uteri) to Poorhouse. Living next door to her at Bewlie Mains I found Fell³ who used to be gamekeeper at Philiphaugh. He seems to have made Jack’s acquaintance at Easter Lilliesleaf⁴. Got some more accts seen to. Had a call from Boylan⁵ + his son Jack⁶ who is home from India.

¹ Andrew Birrell (about 1857-1950), schoolteacher, sometimes described as headteacher, at Lilliesleaf, 1891 Census and in Valuation Rolls 1891-1940

² Not identified

³ Thomas Fell junior, surface man, was next door to James Scott, hedger, at Bewliemains, Lilliesleaf, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁴ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner, Provost of Selkirk and Dr Muir’s son-in-law, has presumably been shooting at Easter Lilliesleaf where Robert Currie Thomson Currie of Ontario, Canada was the Proprietor [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011600033-/550, Roxbrgh County, Page 550 of 993]

⁵ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, acquaintance of Dr Muir and sometime resident of Shawmount, Selkirk

⁶ John Dun ‘Jack’ Boylan junior (1878-1961), son of John Dun Boylan (above); Jack Dun was Deputy General Inspector of Police, Southern Range and was granted 11 months combined leave and furlough with effect from 25 November 1920 [Bihar & Orissa Gazette, 24 September 1920, quoted in The Pioneer Mail, 1 October 1920 here]

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

A mild windy dry day. Saw thirteen cases walking. + got some accts made out. Mrs Mackintosh¹ motored to call at Faldonside. Helen² went with her + Jessie Boyd³ got a lift home. Louisa + Stewart⁴ came to say goodbye. The latter goes back to school at Moffat today with his cousin Geo.⁵ They are motoring in Charlie’s⁶ car + Nancy⁷ is going with them. Louisa goes back tomorrow.

¹ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

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

³ Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

⁴ Louisa Jane ‘Louise’ Roberts (1906-1982), at school near Brampton, Cumberland (see diary entry for 3 October 1920) and Stewart Muir Roberts (1908-2003), two Dr Muir’s grandchildren

⁵ George Roberts (1907-), son of Charles Henry Roberts (1877-), tweed manufacturer, and Euphemia Cranston Roberts née Greenwood

⁶ Charles Henry Roberts (1877-), tweed manufacturer

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

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

A little frost this morning which did not last. I expected to see snow lying this morning but there was just a sprinkling on Peat Law¹. It kept quite fair. I got a message to see Mark Sprot² + motored there + Lilliesleaf. Took tea early at 1 + then motored to Faldonside to see Mrs Howison³ + sent Baptie⁴ up for Jessie Boyd⁵. She, Helen⁶ + I went + heard the band of the S.G. [Scots Guards] in Victoria Hall, a magnificent performance. They were all in uniform. We had seats in the front of gallery. We had a small dinner party for the Thorburns⁷. Nancy⁸, David [?]⁹ + Charlie Roberts¹⁰ were with us. Under Helen’s excellent management it passed off very well. Simpson¹¹ waited + Bella¹² was able to give a hand. Jessie Boyd stayed all night.

¹ Peat Law, WNW of Selkirk, grid reference NT443,307

² Mark Sprot (1881-1946), landowner and army officer, of Riddell, Lilliesleaf, 1920 Valuation Roll

³ Catherine Margaret Howison or Howieson (1921-?1978)

⁴ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

⁵ Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

⁶ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁷ Assume Malcolm Murray Thorburn (1889-1977), manufacturer and sometime soldier, and his wife Mary Alison Brodie; at Dandswall, Shawpark Road, 1921 Valuation Roll

⁸ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

¹⁰ Charles Henry Roberts (1877-), tweed manufacturer

¹¹ Simpson appears to have been the housekeeper at Wellwood, home of Dr Muir’s daughter, she is otherwise unidentified

¹² Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

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

About the most windy day of the winter. A strong N.W. wind with a [sic] blasts of rain + then blizzards of snow. It was bitterly cold + froze at night. I had a smaller list today + saw 9 cases walking. Had all afternoon at the accounts. Heard from David + corroborated by Menzies¹ that Stevenson², Gala, has bolted with a married woman. It happened last week + the incident but without names was in the Sat. evening papers. Mrs Mack called³: both her servants are leaving + she thinks of going to the County Hotel.

¹ James Morris Menzies (1871-1926), M.B., Ch.M., M.D., medical practitioner, of Ettrick Lodge, Selkirk

² Nathaniel Stevenson (1864-?1937), M.A. (Glasgow), 1887, M.B., C.M., 1893, medical practitioner and Medical Officer for Galashiels; born Blythswood, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, son of Andrew Stevenson and Eliza Laird, he was at Galashiels in 1901 with Jeannie D Stevenson, aged 36 and children Frederick A Stevenson, 4 (died WW1) and Elizabeth D Stevenson, 2

³ 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]

S.W. Gale rose during the night + there were very heavy blasts of rain all day. The river was in high flood of the cafe au lait type. I saw a town list of 22 walking besides going to see D.C.A.¹ about the mistake in my feu duty last May when I paid 10 [pounds] too little. I also took out my new motor license = £13 of which I ought to get 25% rebate on account of the age of the engine². Made out some accounts including Dees’ = £170 odd³. Helen⁴ lunched at Mauldsheugh⁵. Bella⁶ bad with her Asthma.

¹ David Carnegie Alexander, ‘Carnegie Alexander’ or ‘D.C.A.’ (1856-1928), solicitor

² Duties on licences for mechanically-propelled vehicles imposed by S.13 of the Finance Act, 1920, as amended by the Roads Act 1920 (and incorporating elements of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1888) were levied by county councils from 1 January 1921

³ Robert Irwin ‘Robber’ Dees (1872-1943), had inherited approximately £90,000 on the death of his uncle Robert Richardson Dees, solicitor, of Wallsend, in 1908 and had taken the tenancy of Faldonside in 1920; his daughter Phyllis Mary Dees (1899-1920), had died 2 December 1920, Faldonside, Melrose, aged 21, after a prolonged decline the result of a motor accident

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁵ Mauldsheugh, 23 Yarrow Terrace, Selkirk was the home of Dr David Charteris Graham, medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner, and his wife Norah Campion Graham née West

⁶ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

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

Complete [?] fresh. Rivers big with melted snow: very mild. T.47^o. Newark Hill, which yesterday was all white was black today. I motored to Newark Mill + Corbie Cottage getting back a little after 12 to find a message [to] Mrs Geo. Lawrie¹ + one to see the butler’s wife at Faldonside. Sent Baptie² up with a note to Jessie Boyd³ inviting her to dinner on Wednesday. In the garden I pulled a yellow + a purple Primula: a hellebore + white hepaticas. I could just see the white on one or two snowdrops. Helen + I went to evening service.

¹ There are separate references in the 1921 Valuation Roll to George Lawrie, ironmonger, Occupier of a house and garden at 38 Market Place, Selkirk and to George Lawrie, labourer, Tenant Occupier of a house at 65 Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk; however the diary entry for 16 December 1919 refers to the Lawrie family at 19 Market Place in 1919 (No. 19 corresponds to both Nos. 38 and 39: the numbers having changed around 1921 where they have been amended in ink) so the visit may well be to this George Lawrie’s wife Mary Orr Finlayson

² Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

³ Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

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

Frost holding in morning but gradually gave after midday. Was able to cycle to Philiphaugh Cottages + High Faldonside (where I saw Bell the gardener’s wife + Jessie Boyd¹ who is in a great funk about being put on a list of jurymen) + Bridgelands. I enjoyed the run the roads being fairly good. Made out a few accounts. Dav. at 2 T. + A.s at the Home². Nancy walked to Lilliesleaf + back. Helen + Barbara³ were at Mrs Harkness’ for tea⁴. I actually got some snowdrops in flower at Faldonside + the winter aconite was out too.

¹ Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

² Tonsils and Adenoids

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), two of Dr Muir’s daughters

⁴ Isabella ‘Bell’ Harkness née Lockie (1859-1929); her daughter Ella Fairbairn Harkness had died in 1915 aged 22 of phthisis pulmonalis and there appears to have been continuing contact thereafter between Mrs Harkness and the Muir family

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

A fine dry frosty day with continuous sunshine. David was shooting at [the] Haining. There were 5 new town messages, one to Davidson, East Deloraine¹ + Mrs Jas. Brown (Margaret Davidson²) was in Labour. I motored there [and] back to the town: + saw her again before I went to Deloraine. The roads were splendid + the old Swift³ did her 20 miles an hour. I saw Mrs Brown on my return + she was not any forrader⁴. I missed a meeting of the Red Cross. Helen + Nancy⁵ were at a meeting about Girl Guides.

¹ William Armstrong Davidson (1877-1946), Langholm-born farmer, tenant at Easter Deloraine, Kirkhope, in the 1911 Census and 1920 Valuation Roll

² Margaret Brown née Davidson, wife of James Brown, reedmaker; their son Wesley McIntyre Brown (1921-1983), was born 14 January 1921

³ 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

⁴ The Dictionar o the Leid acknowledges forra(r)der as a version of forward(s): “FORRIT, adv., adj., v. Also forrat, †forat(e), for(r)et, forit; fort (Per. 1818 J. Sinclair Simple Lays 41); furrit, -et, furrait (m.Sc.); firrit, firret, farrit; forrart; for(r)ad (Sh., Cai.), forrard, forred; and (corresp. to Eng. forwards) †forrits (Sc. 1829 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 218; Lnk. 1893 J. Crawford Sc. Verses 107)… I. adv. 1. Forward(s), ahead, on(ward). Gen.Sc. Compar. forriter, forra(r)der, further forward (Abd. 1928 N. Shepherd Quarry Wood x.; Gall. 1928 Gallovid. Annual 88; Abd.27, Slg.3, Edb.1 1953).”

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s third daughter/sometime housekeeper and second daughter respectively

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

Some frost + a clearer atmosphere: roads harder. Some sunshine N.E. [wind]. Made 4 town calls. + after reading up an accumulation of circulars: appeals, reports + correspondence began to make out last quarter’s accounts. I was not disturbed at all + got well into ‘C’. Saw John Gray¹, Mavisbank a second time before dinner. He has had no fits since yesterday afternoon. Temp. at night 101.2. There was a Panel Comm^ttee meeting but I sent an apology.

¹ Assume John Muir Gray (1915-1984), son of Andrew Gray, weaver, and Margaret Tully Gray née Falside; he was born at Curror Street but the family was living at 7a Mavisbank, Selkirk in 1920

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