Freezing : nice calm forenoon with wind W : [text deleted] + I saw 9 cases walking including Hospital but about 2 a fine snow began to fall + it did not cease till late at night when there must have been quite six inches. Got letter from Agatha Purvis¹ to say Joyce² wanted a job as chauffeur. Advised her to advertise in B.M.J.³ + sent her a cutting. Went to Christmas tea at Viewfield⁴ for kids who have been patients. Dined at Wellwood.⁵ Had to hire [illegible text] going + coming. They have a “wireless” with which we were entertained.⁶ Dees, Faldonside, died after 2 days illness.⁷

¹ Agatha Elizabeth Margaret Purvis née Sprot (1874-1962), daughter of John Sprot, army officer, and Cecilia Elizabeth Doveton. Agatha had married, 10 June 1903 at St John’s Episcopal Church, Selkirk, Captain (Brevet Major) John Henry ‘Harry’ Purvis (1866–1962).

² This very modern young woman was Joyce Wilhelmine Purvis (1904–1993), daughter of Agatha Sprot and John Henry ‘Harry’ Purvis (1866–1962). Joyce was born at St Brelades, Jersey, Channel Islands, and died at Bournemouth, Hampshire. Joyce must have had a sense of adventure as she later travelled to Australia and South America.

³ The British Medical Journal.

⁴ Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home at the top of Viewfield Park and immediately behind the Victoria Halls.

⁵ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, home of Dr Muir’s daughter Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and her husband John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner.

⁶ Wireless communication technology was developing very fast at this time. The Roberts family would have had access to some sort of signal since regular broadcasts for entertainment began in the UK from 1922 first by Marconi but with the British Broadcasting Company Ltd. operating from late that year.

⁷ Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923), landed proprietor, formerly a marine engineer, died 25 December 1923 at Faldonside, aged 51, of Angina pectoris, death certified by D Charteris Graham M.B., Ch.B. His probate 28 February 1924 notes that he left effects valued at £30,820 18s 9d. He had purchased three lairs in Eastlands Cemetery, Galashiels in December 1920 and February 1921. The son of James William Dees and Eliza Jane Irwin, he was born at Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

On the verge of thaw but there was ground frost + pavements were like glass. At 2.30 there was a shower of snow. Bitterly cold N. wind. Saw a list of 9 walking + cycled to Bridge Street + Beechwood. Got box of cigarettes from Nurse Waugh¹ + took her a bottle of port. Sent D.² some Bard Parker surgical knives³ + Mr Turnbull, Yarrow Terrace, Port.⁴ Isa Paton⁵ called with her Haggis + 2 hankies. A box of home made sweets came from Mary.⁶ Dav. sent a pair of goat skin over boots.

¹ Nurse, more correctly Matron Waugh was Marion Gentleman Waugh (1877-1949), born Craigbank, Slamannan, Stirlingshire, the daughter of Allan Waugh, seed merchant, and Christina – sometimes Christian – Turnbull Waugh née Dodds, married 1872 at Muiravonside. Matron Waugh and her mother were recorded at Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk in the 1921 Census.

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

³ Dr Muir had ordered some of these reusable handles for surgical blades on 20th December. They had (and have) blades of different shapes and sizes but with a standard fitting compatible with that handle.

⁴ It is not obvious why this gift was sent, the Editor is not aware of Mr Turnbull’s particular connection with Dr Muir and his life in Selkirk.

⁵ Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (1838-1929), who had lived at Galashiels with her sister Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940) since moving there from Selkirk in May 1918.

⁶ Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister, widow of James Wallace (d.1922), and living at Scotstoune, Haslemere, Surrey.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Quite a hard frost + a practically cloudless day. I felt a very little stiffness after yesterday’s walk. Walked to Heatherliehill¹, Chapel Street [and] Backrow. Was not at church at all but spent the day sending away Xmas Greetings + Cards to the number of 34. Was down at Elmpark² for a short time. Erskine left the Home.³

¹ Dr Muir had seen John Pollok (1858-1938), sometime Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal, living at Heatherlie Hill, Selkirk, the day before.

² Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.

³ James Erskine Harper (1887-1953) had been staying at Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home. He was the son of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, sheriff substitute, and Agnes Harper née Watson later Mackintosh.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Although the wind was still N.N.W. it was much milder + the snow was entirely gone. I cycled in the forenoon to Heatherlie Hill (Pollok¹), Green Terrace, Bridge Street, Bridgelands + Hospital. At 2.40 along with 7 of the S.C.C.² (4 ladies, Kemp, Bryson, Anderson, Thorpe + 3 men, …, Rodger + [blank space]) I walked via Gala Rigg, Jerusalem³ + Friarshaw to Lilliesleaf. Except for the wind it was a delightful walk + we had tea at the Cross Keys.⁴ I called for W. Law.⁵ It was a lovely moon-light night as we came back via Greenhill reaching home at 8.30. It was most enjoyable though I was pretty stiff at the end. I had my heavy shoes which weigh 3½ lbs [pounds].

¹ John Pollok (1858-1938), sometime Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal, recorded as tenant occupier at Heatherlie Hill, 1921 to 1925 Valuation Rolls.

² Assume Selkirk Cycling Club.

³ Jerusalem Heights aka Jerusalem Height aka Sprot’s Bonnet, north east of Friarshawmuir above the 270m Contour Line at the covert now known (and shown on Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger) as Sprot’s Bonnet. Sources include oral testimony from Walter Elliot and Mrs Wilma Gunn, who recalls that her father, a driver, who always referred to the road into Whitmuirhall as “the road to Jerusalem”. See also Ordnance Survey six inch Roxburghshire Sheet XIII, surveyed 1858-9, published 1863.

⁴ The Cross Keys was open in Lilliesleaf until relatively recently.

⁵ William Law (1854-1926), retired postmaster, recorded at Eastville, Lilliesleaf, 1923 Census.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

A little ore snow + the same keen N.W. to N. wind. Thinking the roads would not be good for cycling I walked to Midlem Old Manse to see John Cochrane.¹ I went right round by Kingcroft Toll² + put in nearly but not quite 4 m.p.h. The roads were quite hard + frozen + the thin coating of snow so dry that I could have cycled quite well. Nettie Watson³ from Ettrickhall was down + I fitted on the splint for her trigger finger.

¹ John Cochrane is so far unidentified.

² Kingcroft Toll appears to have been on the Selkirk – St Boswells Road but is otherwise unidentified.

³ Nettie Watson is unidentified but John Watson, 47, was recorded at Ettrickhall, Ettrick, in the 1921 Census, with his wife Isabella, 47, and children Madge, 22, William 16, and Janet, 12.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

4 bottles of a white wine arrived probably from Jean.

A sprinkling of snow on the ground + roof this morning + a dry frosty day with less of the N.N.W. wind. Duller in afternoon + like more snow. Walked to Bridge Street + round the town after. Wrote Willie Rodger¹ + Julia Pringle.² Ordered some Bard Parker knives³ for David⁴ + Päëjamas⁵ for Mrs Mack.⁶ Send £10 for “Save The Children Fund”.⁷ Mrs Mack was in Edinburgh + brought cream, sausage, chicken, jelly, gloves [and] sealing wax.

¹ William Brydone ‘Willie’ Rodger (1880-1959), son of George Rodger (about 1843-1885), solicitor, and Isabella Margaret or Maggie Rodger née Brydone. Born Selkirk, he was later a stockbroker (admitted to the London Stock Exchange, 1904, at which time he lived at Redcliffe Square, Earls Court, Kensington). He was at Sevenoaks, Kent, 1911 Census and at Trey Lodge, Malling, Kent, 1939 England and Wales Register.

² There is a good chance that this is Dr Julia Letitia Pringle (1878-1960), M.B.; Ch.B., the daughter of the late Robert Pringle, Writer to the Signet, who studied medicine at the Medical College for Women, Edinburgh, graduating in 1903. Her wartime service appears to have commenced with her signing of a form for the Medical Recruiting Scheme 1916 in which her details are, in summary “Dr Julia Letitia Pringle, MB ChB Edinburgh, of Wellington Street, Dundee, serving on the General Practitioner Panel.” [The Editor has the source of this information and would be happy to share it].

³ A reusable handle for surgical blades which have different shapes and sizes but a standard fitting compatible with that handle. Archives often have them as part of their conservation toolkits.

⁴ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁵ The Editor has included Dr Muir’s diacritics though the reason for their presence here is lost on him.

⁶ Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.

⁷ “After the First World War ended, Britain kept up a blockade that left children in cities like Berlin and Vienna starving. Malnutrition was common and rickets were rife. An eye witness reported that “in the hospitals there was nothing but paper bandages.”

“Save the Children’s founders, sisters Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton, were part of the Fight the Famine movement, spreading information about what was happening in Europe.”

“In 1919, Jebb was arrested for distributing leaflets in Trafalgar Square. They bore shocking images of children affected by famine in Europe, and the headline: ‘Our Blockade has caused this – millions of children are starving to death’.

“Jebb was tried for her protest and found guilty. But the prosecuting counsel was so impressed with her that he offered to pay the £5 fine himself.

“Soon, the sisters decided that campaigning alone would not be enough – direct action was needed. In May 1919, the Save the Children Fund was set up at a packed public meeting in London’s Royal Albert Hall.” Source: Save The Children Our History.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Hard frost + a dry keen N.W. scarcely as strong as yesterday. My dyspepsia very bad culminating in retching but by dinner time I felt rather better. Cycled to Bridgelands + Goslaw Green + later ran out to the road end + walked to Gala Rigg. The wind as I came down was piercingly cold. Mrs Mack¹ + Helen² were at the Child Welfare Xmas tea + came here for tea. After dinner Helen went to Badminton + I went down to Elmpark.

¹ Dr Muir’s good friend 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.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Change to cold. A biting N.W. wind with a little rain in morning but fair after. Saw some cases walking + cycled to Goslaw Green, Bridgelands + Bridge Street. In the afternoon Nancy¹ kindly motored me to Gilmanscleuch.² She called first at Levenlea.³ We came back from Gilmanscleuch to here in 33 -34 minutes.⁴ I felt dyspeptic probably from taking a big drink of milk late last night.

¹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), one of Dr Muir’s daughters.

² Gilmanscleuch, Kirkhope, Selkirkshire, grid reference NGR NT337,213.

³ Levenlea near Bannerfield, Selkirk, home of John Harrison junior (1886-1981), manufacturer, his wife Beatrice Annie de Fraine and their daughter Beatrice de Fraine Harrison (1920-). John Harrison was the son of John Harrison, clothier, and Helen Georgina Harrison née Roberts, married June 1879 at Selkirk. John Harrison junior was the grandson of George Roberts and his third wife Agnes Roberts née Fowler.

⁴ It’s about 12 miles since you were wondering.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Was knocked up at 4.15 a.m. to see John Anderson’s kid at Craighill.¹ She was not seriously ill. It was a very dark wet night but calm + mild + I didn’t feel the least cold the whole journey. Got back a little after 8. Walked to Chapel Street, Cannon Street, Hospital + Curror Street. Motored to Newarkburn (little John Barrie² much benefited by 8gr Bromide powder³) + back to Philiphaugh for lunch. Asked Sam⁴ for the empty Philiphaugh cottage for Mrs Brown⁵ + he promised to give it. Went to evening service. Jack, Nancy, Louise⁶ + Mrs Mack⁷ were at supper.

¹ Perhaps Johan ‘Joan’ Muir Anderson, later Chisholm (1921-2009), who Dr Muir had attended previously. She was born 1 August 1921 at Craighill, Ettrick, daughter of John Laidlaw Anderson, shepherd, and Grace Linton Anderson née Davidson, married 7 March 1919, Ettrick [birth 1921, 774/B 5, Ettrick]..

² John McMillan Barrie (1914-1932), one of a pair of twins born 7 June 1914 at Fauldshope, sons of Alexander Barrie, shepherd, and Jessie Barrie née McMillan, married 7 June 1912 at Carnwath. In the 1921 Census they were all recorded at Shepherd’s House, Newarkburn, Selkirk.

³ Bromide powders (Potassium or Sodium versions) were used as an anticonvulsant and sedative in medicine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

⁴ Samuel ‘Sam’ Strang Steel (1882-1961), 1st Baronet, M.P., J.P., T.D., Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk 1948-1958.

⁵ Mrs Brown is so far unidentified.

⁶ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), her husband John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner, and Louisa Jane ‘Louise’ Roberts, later Rutherford (1906-1982), Dr Muir’s granddaughter.

⁷ Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

A mild day with strongish west wind which dried the roads a bit. Walked over to see Sarah Rodger, Bridge Street¹ + went to morning service. Mr Rogerson, Galashiels, was preaching² + I couldn’t make out a word of his sermon. He was here on the quinquennial presbyterial visitation. After that I walked to Hospital. Jack³, Nancy⁴ + Mrs Mack⁵ came to supper.

¹ Sarah Rodger is so far unidentified.

² The Reverend John Rogerson (1871-1936), free church minister.

³ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and sometime Provost of Selkirk.

⁴ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

⁵ Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]