Freezing again this morning + roads hard except in a few sheltered places. There was also very dense fog in the valley. Drove Bartleman1 over to the almshouses2 where I had to go to see Betsy Ingles3 [?] + then we walked back by Curling4 meeting Baptie5 again at Whitmuirhall.6 I got down above the skating pond7 while Bartleman drove on to Dandswall8 where he was due to lunch at 1.30. After lunch I cycled to Thornfield, Hospital + Hartwoodmyres.
1 Bartleman is so far unidentified.
2 Assume the almshouses at Lilliesleaf.
3 Betsy Ingles cannot be readily identified.
4 Curling, Bowden, north of Riddell, grid reference NGR NT517,261.
5 Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.
6 Whitmuirhall, Selkirk, home of Charles Walter Dunlop (1846-1922), merchant.
7 The skating pond was on the east side of the Selkirk Hills.
8 Dandswall, Shawpark Road, Selkirk. It is not referred to in the Valuation Rolls at this time so Bartleman’s host is unidentified.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]
Soft this morning+ roads got very sticky. In the evening there was a heavy shower of rain. Drove to Thornfield1 + then over to Newhouse, Castleside2 + across the hill to Hartwoodmyres.3 Did not get to evening service as I had to walk out to Broomhill to give Mrs Pollok4 a hypo. Flo Alexander5 called to see me. Jack, Nancy6 + Bartleman7 came to supper.
4 Jane Pollok née MacLaurin (about 1856-1911), wife of John Pollok, law agent.
5 Jane Florence ‘Flo’ Alexander née Turnbull (1877-1962), born 13 November 1877, at St Colme House, Dalgety, Fife, died 22 November 1962 at 28 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, aged 85. She was the wife of David Carnegie Alexander (1856-1928), married 25 April 1899, Edinburgh at which time her address was recorded as “Faldonside Melrose” and one of the witnesses was James William Brack Boyd (1871-1916), army officer and brother of Jessie Brack Boyd, who was killed in action 16 July 1916. Recorded living at Thirladean, Selkirk, 1921 Census. She was the daughter of James Turnbull, Writer to the Signet, and Jane Scott.
6 John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner, and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), his wife and Dr Muir’s daughter.
7 Bartleman is so far unidentified.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]
Had a busier day. Frost harder + roads splendid for cycling. Pollok1 asked me to go to Dryhopehaugh2 to investigate into the case of old James Tait as he was found dead yesterday3 + I had also to go to Hartwoodmyres to see Robert Little4 who has a bad attack of pneumonia. There was also a message to Philiphaugh5 to see Miss Crofton.6 I arranged to cycle with Jack7 while Nancy, Jean, Dora8 + Bartleman9 drove in the wag [sic]. I left (after seeing Sandy Roberts10) who has a slight attack of perityphlitis at 9.40 + cycled to Hartwoodmyres without dismounting11 a thing I “had never done before”.12 Then to Philiphaugh + met Jack at General’s Bridge13 shortly after 11. It was splendid going + one did not get a bit hot. We all lunched at Gordon Arms.14 Jack + I cycled home again but I went along the Dunsdale road to Bridgelands to see Charlotte.15 I did 39 miles + was not a bit tired. The Patons16 + nurse [illegible]17 dined with us. I missed attending Mrs Jas. Cockburn, Curror Street.18 Wilson19 attended. I called on my way up from Bridgelands + assisted him to finish a very troublesome breech case.20 It was snowing at night when our guests left.
1 John Pollok (1858-1938), Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal, John Pollok, Slater’s Royal National Commercial Directory, 1903; Clerk to Property & Income Tax Commissioners; at Heatherlie Hill, 1921 VR.
3 James Tait, retired shepherd, aged 73, died 1 January 1904 at Dryhope Haugh, of heart disease, certified by John S Muir M.B. &c. James was the son of Walter Tait, shepherd, and Isabella Tait nee Andison.
4 The best fit is Robert Little (1889-), son of William Little and Margaret Little née Watson. In the 1901 Census the family was at Foulshiels but apparently at Hartwoodmyres by 1904 [Valuation Roll].
7 John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and husband of Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.
8 Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir (1877-1941) and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), three of Dr Muir’s children.
9 Bartleman is unidentified.
10 Assume Alexander Fowler ‘Sandie’ Roberts (1844-1929), woollen manufacturer.
11 The Editor could not read this a fist partly because it seems unlikely that Dr Muir would have found the cycled to Hartwoodmyres so difficult. His handwriting is presenting a challenge nevertheless. Having spent ten years 2014-2023 progressively transcribing Dr Muir’s diary as he moved into old age with (there’s no nice way of saying this) an old man’s handwriting, the shift to Dr Muir aet 59 has brought a new challenge, that of reading the aggressively cursive hand of a medic working at something like his peak. Please give us time, we will adapt, get our eye in.
12 There are certainly quotation marks around this text. The Editor is not sure what Dr Muir is doing here unless this is an unidentified literary sort of quotation.
15 Assume Elizabeth Charlotte Rodger née Eck (about 1848-1928), born Chile (British Subject), daughter of Frederick A Eck and Janet Eck née Alexander, and wife of George Rodger (died 1910), shipping merchant, married April 1872 at Kensington, Middlesex [Kensington 1a 241], she lived at Bridgelands, Selkirk until her death, 15 December 1928 at Selkirk. She was the mother of George Frederick Eck Rodger (1873-1956), Janet Margaret Rodger (1874-1958), Agnes Christine Rodger (1875-1959), Peter Edward Alexander Rodger (1876-1913), William Samuel Rodger (1877-), Walter Vincent Rodger (1879-1975) and Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger (1884-1858).
16 Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929) and Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940), sisters living on their own means at Selkirk [1901 Census].
17 This nurse is so far unidentified.
18 Mrs James Cockburn was Maggie McLaren Cockburn née Galloway of 22 Curror Street, Selkirk. The couple had four children, James, Alexander, Archie and Maggie.
19 John Wilson (about 1873-1916), M.B., medical practitioner, of Kirkbrae, Selkirk, partner in practice of James Menzies of Ettrick Lodge, Selkirk.
20 This is a confused narrative. The baby was not called Cockburn (as might have been inferred) because there was only one baby born in Selkirk that day. She was Mary Ellen Reid, born 11.30 a.m. at Cannon Street, Selkirk in Selkirk on 2 January 1994. Mary was the daughter of Walter Reid, woollen factory worker, and Rachel Reid née Bogle, married 21 September 1894 at Selkirk.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]
Frost very slight + the roads almost inclined to be a little soft. Dull calm pleasant day on the whole. Did not see the new year in + heard none of the row. Did not hurry out as there is a very small list to start the New Year with. Walked to the smallpox hospital to see Nurse Wilkinson who is doing her quarantine there. After lunch with Jack + a lad Bartleman who is visiting him. Walked to Hartwoodmyres coming back through Haining. We all dined at Wellwood + spent a very pleasant evening.
1 For the first quarter of the 20th Century, two isolation units are shown on the relevant Ordnance Survey sheets, the larger described as Infectious Diseases Hospital, Mortuary etc No. at 6a Bleachfield Road, Selkirk, and a smaller, described as Small Pox Hospital, Selkirk Hills, at Buxton, grid reference NGR NT485,287. Further research is required.
2 Nurse Wilkinson is so far unidentified.
3 Dr Muir has put a tick in front of the word ‘after’, the Editor has no idea why.
4 John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and husband of Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), living at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk.
5 Bartleman is so far unidentified.
6 Hartwoodmyres, Selkirk, NT43292,24874.
7 Wellwood was around this time owned by John Roberts senior (1845-1234), C.M.G. of Dunedin, New Zealand for John Roberts junior, Te Whare [Selkirk], but by 1914 John Roberts junior was the proprietor.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]
Got a very nice letter from Mrs Taylor, Jamaica.1 Both her daughters are engaged. She give a good account of Mrs Thomson, Beechwood, whom she knew when she lived in Jamaica with her husband, a doctor.2 It was a slow but steady thaw with a soft rain all day + gentle W. wind. Streets very slushy. Walked to Backrow, Rosemount, Goslawdales + Green. Drew money from Bank to pay wages +c. Got books arranged for New Year. P.C.s [postcards] from Barbara from Sydney + Melbourne.3 Dav.4 ‘Phoned me that Dees had died practically bankrupt!5 Barometer: 29.65 27.57
Letters also from Miss Lockart [sic] + McCall.6
Cycling mileage Professional 1068.5 Non professional 1430.45 Total 2498.95
Longest mileage = May = 575.6
Rides above 50 miles Apr 24th Arniston Eddleston Selkirk 65.1 May 24th Chollerford via North Tyne 63.9 29th Weardale Hexham 60.35 31st Alston Greenhead 77.15 June 2nd Chollerford Selkirk via Carter 60 July 4th Dunsyre Carnwath Peebles 80.45 Aug 11th Etal 70.4 31st Jedfoot Cessford Linton +c 53.6 Sept 3rd Longformacus +c 68.2 24th Eskdalemuir Lockerbie Dumfries 58.0 29th Muirkirk Selkirk 70.15
1 The Editor has information about the Taylor family, distantly related to Dr Muir through the Rennie connection, but cannot match this reference to any of his data.
2 Naomi Thomson (about 1878-), widow, born Liverpool, companion to Jemima Colville of Beechwood, Selkirk [1921 Census].
3 Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), daughter of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir, had left in October 1923 travelling 1st Class en route for New Zealand departing 13 October on the Orient Line’s Clyde-built R.M.S. Ormonde from London to Sydney (the Editor has not identified her onward journey Sydney to New Zealand) via Colombo, Fremantle, Melbourne [source: UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 for A B Roberts, London, 1923, Oct]. Barbara later married in New Zealand but in case readers worry that Dr Muir would never see his eldest granddaughter again she came home at least once afterwards, in 1929, when she returned to New Zealand, sailing 8 November 1929 from Southampton to Wellington on Shaw Savill & Albion Line’s R.M.S. Mataroa.
4 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
5 Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) had inherited approximately £90,000 on the death of his uncle Robert Richardson Dees, solicitor, of Wallsend, in 1908 and had taken on the tenancy of Faldonside in 1920. His situation was not as desperate as Dr Muir suggests, as Dees left assets worth £30,000, but Dees still indulged in an astonishing rate of expenditure for someone drawing on a one-off inheritance.
6 Assume The Reverend James George McCall (1866-1954), rector of St John’s Episcopal Church, Selkirk.
7 Non-professional refers to Dr Muir’s mileage that is not subject to reimbursement by the medical administration – his private mileage.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
A more decided thaw + with some rain but still too calm. I saw 3 cases near at hand + then hired to Curror Street, Bridgelands, Forest Road, Bridge Street, Kirkwynd + Castle Street. Was not out again till evening service to which I went with Helen.1 Mrs Mack2 called with 4 eggs. David3 looked in at night + talked about hiring cars for my use. Bryson4 says he would let me have them for 6d [pence] a mile, Baptie5 driving. Wrote Mary6, Guy7 + Wade.8
1 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
2 Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.
3 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
4 Walter Bryson (1872-1941) had a motor business in Selkirk with a garage behind No. 4 High Street.
5 Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.
6 Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister, widow of James Wallace (d.1922), and living at Scotstoune, Haslemere, Surrey.
7 The Reverend Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother.
8 If that is a correct reading then this almost certainly refers to Sir Henry ‘Harry’ Wade (1876-1955), F.R.C.S.E., F.R.S.E., C.M.G., D.S.O., Scottish surgeon, soldier, scientist and urological specialist. He was a medical student at Edinburgh, subsequently worked at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and saw two periods of military service – in the Boer War and (as Captain to the Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade) in the Dardanelles, Egypt and Syria campaigns during the First World War. He lectured on medical matters at Selkirk in 1921. [Sources: Dugald Gardner (2005), ‘Surgeon, Scientist, Soldier – The life and times of Henry Wade 1876-1955’, Royal Society of Medicine Press; Dr Muir’s diary 12 May 1921, and UK Medical Register 1923].
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Keen frost + a nice sharp calm day. Snow firm for walking but some bits of pavement very slippery. Gave Mrs Mack1 her Christmas present of Silk Pyjamas! Nice letters from John McDougal2 + Wyllys3 + a pamphlet from Rabagliati.4 Saw 10 cases (including …) walking. Got old Minute book of Golf Club + found that the Professional Golf Torn [sic] took place on May 19 1888 + the Club House was opened August 6 1885.5
1 Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.
2 John Aymers MacDougall (1844-1928), M.D. Edin., 1865, L.R.C.S. Edin., 1874, medical practitioner, born and sometime in practice at Galashiels but by 1923 living at Balerno, Midlothian. One of Dr Muir’s oldest friends as recorded when James Ramsay died in 1915 and Dr Muir commented “Thus is severed another of the four remaining links between now and my student days. I last heard from “Ram” on 26 December when he signed himself “one of your oldest and most affectionate friends”. McDougal, Brunton and Rabagliati are the only remaining ones.” [diary entry for Thursday 4 February 1915, Heritage Hub SBA/657/18/7]. John MacDougall published an obituary of Sir Lauder Brunton in the Edinburgh Medical Journal 1916 Nov; 17 (5): 345–349.
3 William Edward Wyllys (1846-1931), L.R.C.S. Edin., 1867, L.R.C.P. Edin., 1868, born Somerset, a close contemporary of Dr Muir’s at Edinburgh but living at Belton, Suffolk in 1923 [Medical Register 1923].
4 Andrea Carlo Francisco Rabagliati (1843-1930), medical practitioner and dietician, M.D., F.R.C.S.E., author of ‘Air, Food and Exercises; An Essay on the Predisposing Causes of Disease”, 3rd Edition, 1914. He was a near contemporary of Dr Muir, studied medicine at Edinburgh, had family connections with the Borders and was long-term friend of Dr Muir’s. Also note comment of Dr Halliday Sutherland “Their author was fond of coining new words based on Greek roots, which puzzled the non-classical reader.” [sources include BMJ obituary, 1930, and Bradford Telegraph & Argus, ‘Past Times’, 8 March 2000 ‘Doctor’s veggie way to a long life’].
5 It is not clear what the excitement was about the old golf tournament. The Editor will try to find out when the archives re-open.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Went to Edwards1 about an enlarging the photo of Professional Golf Tournament2
Where there was traffic the snow was slushy but out of the town it was firm. I walked to Bridgelands to see Agnes Rodger3 + back to Bridge Street intending to go on to Beechwood4 but it began to rain so I came home but after lunch as it had faired I walked up to Beechwood. Letter from Jean5 to say she won’t be out at New Year + seeming unsettled about her house + business. Helen6 + I went by the 7.20 to Gala + had supper with the Patons7 returning by the 10.45. I discovered Bella’s age to be 85. It was clear + frosty as we walked up the road.
1 A R Edwards, photographers, of Tower Street, Selkirk. By this time A R Edwards was long gone and the business was run first by Thomas Hughes Milner Colledge, who had worked for Edwards but moved to Innerleithen around the turn of the century, and latterly by Robert Edwards with assistance from other members of the Edwards family.
2 It is not clear what the excitement was about the old golf tournament. The Editor will try to find out when the archives re-open.
3 Agnes Christina Rodger (1875-1959), Dr Muir’s wife’s 1st Cousin Once Removed, daughter of George Rodger, shipping merchant, and Elizabeth Charlotte Rodger. Agnes was a wartime Red Cross V.A.D. with over 1000 hours’ service, of Bridgelands [‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s.’, the Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922].
4 Beechwood, N.N.E. of Philiphaugh Saw Mill, visible on Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire Sheet XI.8, published 1899, had been visited by Dr Muir a few times over the year or so from late 1922.
5 Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, widowed but still living in Newington, Edinburgh.
6 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
7 Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ or ‘Bella’ Paton (1838-1929), had lived with her sister Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940) at Galashiels since moving there from Selkirk in May 1918.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Although some of the pavements were wet it was not a true thaw + the snow lay thick everywhere. I had a nice walk to call on Jessie Boyd1 + found the roads quite good except on the Faldonside brae. Jessie gave me a glass of Cherry Brandy. She tells me Dees2 is to be buried tomorrow. It was very sad that a fine bit of Stilton [?] arrived from Mr + Mrs Dees. Wrote Mrs Dees3 again. Got letters from John McDougall4 + W B Hunter.5 That awful ass Nurse Robertson6 from Beechwood called.
1 Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener.
2 Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923), landed proprietor, formerly a marine engineer, had died 25 December 1923 at Faldonside.
3 Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), wife of Robert Irwin Dees.
4 John Aymers MacDougall (1844-1928), born Galashiels, qualified M.D. at Edinburgh in 1865 so would have been a medical student there at the same time as Dr Muir (M.B., Ch.B. 1867). By 1923 he was living at Balerno, Midlothian.
5 W B Hunter may be a medic (though the Editor cannot match him to the Medical Directory) but is otherwise unidentified.
6 Nurse Robertson is unidentified. She must have succeeded one – or two – of Elsie Morison Simpson (1890-1926) and Margaret Henderson Sharp (1885-), both nurses, both recorded at Beechwood in the 1921 Census.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
There was a good 6 inches of snow lying this morning. None fell + the day was calm + just on the freezing side. The weathercock pointed N.E. I walked to Curror Street, Ashybank, Bridge Street + Castle Street. Got in a little after 1. Wrote Mrs Dees1 + sent away several subscriptions amounting to 25/- [shillings] + 10/- to Jean.2 Helen3 was at the Badminton Club at night.
1 Mrs Dees had lost her husband Robert Irwin Dees on Christmas Day. She was Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), daughter of the Reverend Canon Dr. James Henderson and Jane Lowrey, born 7 April 1872, the Vicarage, Ancroft, Northumberland, died 8 March 1948, The Manager’s Residence, Rustenburg Platinum Mine, Rustenburg, Transvaal, South Africa.
2 Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, widowed but still living in Newington, Edinburgh.
3 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 