Another delicious day: so warm that I sat for a little in the garden after tea + read the papers. Cycled to Faldonside to see Tom Brockie¹. They are busy cutting down the wood at Faldonside, taking the [three illegible words]? Saw a few town cases + made out accounts. Linton has finished the wall at the foot of the garden + Baptie² has begun to tidy up. Helen³ was down at Elmpark⁴ + came back loaded with gifts of food sweets + a bottle of port for me. It became very dark towards evening + there was a little rain but the glass is high + rising.

¹ Thomas Brockie (1860-1929), shepherd, lived at a house at Faldonside, Galashiels, at least from 1916-1920 [Source: Valuation Rolls]

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

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter

⁴ Agnes MacIntosh née Watson (c.1860-1946), she was the widow of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, sheriff substitute, but had remarried after Harper’s death; widowed again and living at Elmpark, Selkirk in the 1919 Valuation Roll

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Most delightful change to warm weather. It was warmer outside than in the house. My room stood at 53^o + when the windows had been open a little while the nursery rose to 56^o. I saw a town list of 15 + worked away at the accounts Guy. Letter from Guy² with payment for the cloth. Went to meeting of the War Memorial hut committee + was appointed secretary also meeting of full committee at 8. Had no food from tea at 2 till dinner at 9.15. Louisa’s Birthday gave her 2/- [shillings].

¹ Louisa Jane Roberts (1906-1982), Dr Muir’s granddaughter

² Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother; see diary entry for 16 April 1919 for reference to cloth

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Motored to Yair. It was a damp cold day. Tweed very full. Saw a few town cases after + sat at accounts all afternoon. David got message to And. [Andrew] Linton¹, Gilmanscleuch + Oakwoodmill which he did. Mrs Mackintosh came up at night about a form she had got about Dora [Muir] who had given her as a reference for Registering as a nurse. She gave Helen + me a cut of salmon: [illegible] of chocolate, a cream cheese + 2 books! Sent Jean [Muir] some spring flowers + among them snow drops.

¹ The editor was not confident of this reading but corroboration came via reference to several visits (2 October and 7 December 1918 and 28 February 1919) Dr Muir made to Andrew Linton and his family at Gilmanscleuch

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Dull morning but with a little rain but gradually cleared up to a fine day. Glass rising rapidly. River in flood from rain + melting snow. Saw town cases walking. David motored to [illegible], Rinkhope + Ettrick Shaws + was met by a message to North Deloraine. When he returned I motored to Old Mill Farm. Gave Chlor[oform] at Mauldsheugh at 2.30 while he operated on Mrs R Stewart, Thirladean, for appendicitis, Alice Smith assisted. Helen went to Edinburgh at 8.13 + did not return till 11.5. Met her at [illegible]. Sent Guy cloth for a suit from Forest Mill.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Slept in till 8. Snowing heavily at 9 but rained after: very cold + rain all day. Peat Law &c continued white. Was feeling seedy with dyspepsia. + was tired walking. David [Graham] was was called to Annieston to Dav. Wright. I walked to Ettrick Terrace, [illegible], Whinfield Cottage, Dunsdale Hospital, [illegible] + Knowepark. Was in house after 2 + made out accounts. Letter from Mrs Jakes [?] giving names of lodgings in Glenluce. Helen [Muir] at Pictures with children.

Yates née McGuffie

Mary

Wife of William Henry Yates (about 1862-1926), retired aerated water manufacturer; they had married in Chorlton, Lancashire, in July 1894, it was his second marriage and on the certificate Mary is noted as of “Glasserton Church, Craig Dhu, Scotland” (though both were resident at Craigdhu farm, Glasserton, grid reference NGR NX396,402, in the 1891 Census) and she was born at Whithorn and had previously lived with her family at Bailliewhirr Croft, Whithorn, NGR NX426,417

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

S. E cold drizzling day with some heavy rain in the evening. Got a sharp letter from Jessie [?] + motored to Lilliesleaf returning via Longmoss. Was in house the rest of the day at accounts. Wrote a letter to Sheila Currie at Dollar in reply to a P.C. [post card] she sent me. Dav [Dr David Graham] was at Weatherhouse [?], Rinkhope + Ettrick Shaws.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Hoar frost. A bright clear day but cold + a heavy shower of hail at 2. Walked down to Mauldsheugh at 9.30 + was there awhile. Then made calls in Newark [?], [?] Road, Dunsdale [?], Curror Street +c. Was in house all afternoon. Went to combined service in Parish Church. Mr Cathels¹, Hawick, and Mr Talbot, Monteviot [?] spoke. Supped at Wellwood.

¹ Dr David Cathels (1853-1925), Church of Scotland minister and Moderator of the Church of Scotland, 1924-; ministry at Kirkton and later Hawick

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

A fine sharp sunny day. I am getting lass + less to do + David [Graham] more + more. I suppose such a thing might have been expected but it is not a pleasant sensation being shelved when one feels perfectly fit for work. I have brought it on myself + therefore must try to submit with a good grace. Made 5 visits. Wrote B.S.A., Sturmey Archer + Mrs Yates. Got a [illegible] with accts. Helen [Muir] + I supped at Mrs Shawpark. Hilda + Vera Brown there two very nice girls¹. Vera being especially clever.

¹ Possibly Vera Watson Brown (1900-) and Hilda Watson Brown (1898-), daughters of William Brown, banker, and Henrietta Brown née Watson, married 1896 at Hamilton, and all resident at Vellore House, Muiravonside [Maddiston], Stirlingshire, 1911 Census

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Cold damp day. After seeing some 10 town cases I sat all afternoon at my speech for tonight at a War Memorial event where I was to be Chairman. I had it all written out + in my hand but I stuck! The concert was a fairly good one. There was a good fiddler + Mrs Wilkinson to whom a basket of flowers from Mrs Mackintosh was presented. After getting back at 10.30 had to go down to Walt. Falla’s to see an Australian soldier.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

A little sunshine in morning + thus a damp rather cold day. I had not much to do walking in the town. Called at Wellwood + saw Nancy who returned yesterday from London¹ and Jock who came today in the glory of his first suit with trousers². Mr Ross called³. David [Graham] was at Thirladean + Weatherhouse. Wrote Dr Yellowlees + Guy³.

¹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter, living at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk with her husband John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966); mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, and their children

² This must be John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), Dr Muir’s grandson

³ The editor assumes that this is the Reverend Andrew Ross (1871-1942), clergyman, who moved to Selkirk in 1903 and was there until his retiral with the exception of a period in early 1918 when he was in France with the Scottish Churches Huts

³ Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]