Still showery but with fairer intervals. I took Angus + Gerty1 in Bryson’s Dodge2 to Bowden Toll, Melrose, St Boswells, Mainberry, Smailholm, Dryburgh + Bemersyde Hill.3 The views were fairly good but there were rain clouds round about although we got very little. We got back to lunch + the Gillans left shortly after. They go back to Sudan in October. We looked in at Wellwood4 on the way back.
1 Margaret Douglas ‘Gerty’ Ord Mackenzie (1891-1973), daughter of Montague Allan Ord Mackenzie and Frances Gordon ‘Fanny’ Ord Mackenzie née Rennie, had married James ‘Angus’ Gillan (1885–1981), twice Olympic gold medal rower and colonial administrator on 28 August 1917 at Holy Trinity Church, Brompton. Later Sir Angus Gillan, K.B.E., C.M.G., his papers are in the Bodleian Libary, Oxford.
2 Bryson had a motor business in Selkirk.
3 The party has done a little loop beyond Bemersyde Hill and Scott’s View, grid reference NGR NT597,343, to the area of Mainberry, NT666,356, and Smailholm, NT647,363, fairly close to the Berwickshire Border.
4 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.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Another showery day : was called out before breakfast to see the child of Maggie Snowden (nee Stewart) Chapel Street, who had got scalded.1 Cycled round the town 17 calls including Hospital + Home.2 Sent Agnes Hoggins3 to Hospital as the symptoms of Enteric are quite decided.4 David Brunton’s wife was confined at Viewfield on Saturday.5 Made preparations for the Gillans6 who arrived about 5.30. Gerty as bonne [sic] as ever. Jack7 + his father8, Nancy9 + Barb10 came to dinner + we discussed a couple of bottles of fizz + one of [illegible]11. Bella12 gave us an A1 dinner + Mrs Mack13 (whom I invited but who declined) helped too.
1 Margaret Turnbull Stewart Snowden, born 4 May 1921 at 6 Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, daughter of Robert Snowden, woollen millworker, and Joan Bateman Stewart, married 28 January 1921, Selkirk. It looks as if Dr Muir has assigned the Maggie to the wrong person..
2 The public Hospital was at the bottom of Bleachfield Road while the Home is presumably Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home at the top of Viewfield Park and immediately behind the Victoria Halls.
3 Agnes is not readily identifiable.
4 See Dr Muir’s diary entry for 26 August 1923.
5 Annie Dalgleish Brunton was born 00:45 hours on 26 August 2923 at Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk, the daughter of David Brunton, general merchant, of the Post Office, Ettrick and Mary Laidlaw Brunton née Scott. Her parents had married 20 October 1922 at Ettrick, Selkirkshire.
6 The Gillans were Margaret Douglas ‘Gerty’ Ord Mackenzie (1891-1973), daughter of Montague Allan Ord Mackenzie and Frances Gordon ‘Fanny’ Ord Mackenzie née Rennie, and James ‘Angus’ Gillan (1885–1981), twice Olympic gold medal rower and colonial administrator. They had married on 28 August 1917 at Holy Trinity Church, Brompton.
7 John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Nancy’s husband, thus Dr Muir’s son-in-law.
8 Sir John Tonkin Roberts (1845-1934), father of John Roberts junior, Dr Muir’s son-in-law. Born Selkirk, he made his life in New Zealand but was over in Scotland in the summer of 1923 for an extended holiday the year after the death of his wife Louisa Jane Kettle.
9 Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.
10 Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), daughter of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir. At 21, and just about to leave for what turned out to be a new life in New Zealand, she was socialising with the the adults.
11 The Editor would be pleased to have suggestions as to the identity of this wine .
12 Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), the Muir family housekeeper, daughter of James Paulin, groom, and Grace Paulin née Cranston, born Ladykirk, Berwickshire [Sources include: ‘A Souter’s Bairn, recollections of life in Selkirk’ by Jenny Corbett with Avril Jack, published Selkirk Common Good Fund, 1993].
13 Dr Muir’s close friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk. It is not clear why she turned down the invitation – it does not look as if it was a problem with Dr Muir but rather perhaps with one of his guests.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Dull day with hardly a blink of sun + very wet all afternoon + evening. Made one or two calls + went to morning service. Brought in all books +c as the church is about to be repainted. Was not out again till about 7 when I got a message to Mr Dodds, Backrow1 and had to see a second time Agnes Hoggan2 (formerly Mrs …) who looks suspiciously like enteric. She was ill in Spittal [?] for a week + came home on Thursday. Her temp. was 99.4 to 102.4. She is servant with Oldfield at Vicar’s Knowe.3
1 Robert Dodds, weaver, was Tenant/Occupier at 76 Back Row, Selkirk [1923 Valuation Rolls VR007900012-/418, Selkirk Burgh, page 418 of 644].
2 Agnes is not readily identifiable. She was not recorded as working for Oldfield in the 1921 Census (or, if she was working for them at that time, she must have been away).
3 Joseph Henry Oldfield, mill manager, Tenant/Occupier of a House and Garden Vicarsknowe, 1 The Glebe, Selkirk [1923 Valuation Roll VR007900012-/489, Selkirk Burgh, page 489 of 644]. He was recorded there in the 1921 Census with his wife Polly and daughter Constance Muriel Oldfield, aged 14.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
The glass had risen a lot yesterday+ this morning was fair though cold but down the mercury tumbled again + rain came between 4 + 5. I walked to the Bank, Heatherlie Park, where I put a starch bandage on the boy Smith’s leg1, Yarrow Terrace, Ashybank Terrace +c. Then to Library + Halliday’s Park + after lunch to Rockville2 + Kirkwynd. I had a call from the youngest of the Maxpoffle Boyds aet 51, a clergyman at St Leonard’s3 + at present staying at Henderland. Got a brace of grouse from Sam Steel.4
1 The boy Smoth is so far unidentified.
2 Dr Muir had been attending Robert Currie, junior (about 1847-1923), woollen hosiery manufacturer, at Rockville, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk.
3 The Reverend Arthur Hamilton Boyd (1869-1955), O.B.E., M.C., T.D. Son of Sir John Boyd of Maxpoffle and Isabella Boyd née Lawson. Dr Muir may have thought that he was at St Leonard’s, the seaside town in Sussex, but after distinguished service in Chaplaincy during the First World War he appears to have settled at Slaugham, Sussex, south of Crawley and near to St Leonard’s Forest.
4 Samuel ‘Sam’ Strang Steel (1882-1961), 1st Baronet, M.P., J.P., T.D., Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk 1948-1958.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Fair morning : Drizzle in afternoon + fair at night. Rained all night.1 Rivers flooded. Tweed especially very big. Note to see Marion Paton.2 Cycled there + Sund. Hall Garden + went on to Gattonside where I explored the path running up behind the village. There are far more houses than one sees from the road. It is a steep narrow track, stony + muddy, till a gate into the field above Friarshall + then the path broadens.3 Took my tea beyond this field + then the drizzle began. But I went on + came home via Leaderfoot, Eildon, Whiterig + Bowden.
1 The Editor thinks reads rather confused.
2 Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940), had lived with her sister Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (1838-1929) at Galashiels since moving there from Selkirk in May 1918.
Fine though cold up till 2 after which it rained straight on. I cycled first thing to Sund. Hall Garden1 + then from 11 till 1.30 I was giving Chlor[oform] at Viewfield2 to a boy Bell3 (tuberculous cervical gland), Mrs T Montgomery4 (curetting) + Effie Robertson5 (clearing sinus in old wound). In afternoon motored to Heatherlie Park, Forest Mill, + Faldonside. Jessie6 all right. The Wylies from Whitelee7 came when I was there. Saw Robert Currie8 at night + gave hypo [of] Heroin. Brace of grouse from Grieve9 of which I sent 1 to Rennie10.
1 Sunderland Hall, Selkirk, was the home of the Scott Plummer family but it is not clear what Dr Muir was there for.
2 Viewfield Nursing Home, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s base.
3 The boy Bell is so far unidentified.
4 Mrs Montgomery is so far unidentified.
5 There were three women named Euphemia Robertson recorded at Selkirk in the 1921 Census.
6 Dr Muir had been attending Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener.
7 Alexander Wyllie, merchant, and Helen Gifford Wyllie née Whitelaw were at Whitelee, Melrose, Roxburghshire in the 1921 Census and he was recorded as the Proprietor of the same in Valuation Rolls into the 1930s.
8 Dr Muir had been attending Robert Currie, junior (about 1847-1923), woollen hosiery manufacturer, at Rockville, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk.
9 Norman William Grieve who appears to have moved to (or taken an interest in property in) the Selkirkshire and Roxburghshire areas around 1911. It is feasible that he is the Norman William Grieve (about 1852-1936), born Hawick, who worked in tropical agriculture and as the director of public companies (rubber and tea companies according to A Hawick Word Book), he left £308,574.
10 The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924) of Ladyton, Prestwick, clergyman, described on his death registration as Minister of the Gospel Retired, Dr Muir’s brother in law and widower of Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Cold W. wind + showers in afternoon Clear at night + moonlight. Saw town cases walking + cycled to Ashybank to see Mary Chisholm.1 Then I walked to Whitmuir to find to my annoyance that D.2 has signed Ad. Neil3 off on Saturday. Views from Gala Rigg very fine. Was very pleased to get from A Christy Wilson, Doncaster, a card announcing his golden wedding4 + a piece of cake. Wrote Helen.5 Took down some strawberries to Mrs Mack6 + saw Erskine.7
1 Mary Chisholm may refer to Mary Chisholm born Saskatchewan, Canada, recorded with her uncle and aunt James Hill and Helen Hill née Chisholm at Raeburn Place in the 1921 Census but at Ashybank in the 1911 Census. Mary appears to be the daughter of Robert Chisholm, farm servant, and Helen Chisholm née Paxton.
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
3 Adam Grey Neil (1890-1976), forester and joiner, born Bowden, Roxburghshire.
4 Alexander Christy Wilson (1846-1925), L.R.C.S., M.D., medical practitioner, was one of Dr Muir’s few contemporary friends still working. Wilson had married, 20 August 1873, Emma Bewley (1849–1928) in a Quaker Marriage at Monkstown, Dublin, Ireland [Bewley, Emma and Wilson, Alexander Christy, 1873 Dublin South, Volume 12 Page number 571]. A Licenciate of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh in 1866 so a close contemporary of Dr Muir’s at medical school. The son of Walter Wilson (1796–1890) and Rebecca Cruickshank Wilson (1818–1896), born 1846 at Cavers, Roxburghshire, he died 27 April 1925 at Doncaster, South Yorkshire (where he was in practice from at least 1875 and was still being recorded in the Medical Register in 1923) and was buried at Hyde Park Cemetery, Doncaster.
5 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper, apparently still on holiday in the south of England.
6 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk.
7 James ‘Erskine’ Harper (1887-1953), Agnes Mackintosh’s son.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
I was called out at 12.30 to attend an illigit. primip. in Curror Street = Jemima Story.1 She was better at 1.45 + I got back to bed at 3. It was a pitch dark night + raining. I didn’t breakfast till after 9. It rained all forenoon with a S.W. gale but faired after + was fine. Motored to Rockville2 +c, Halliday’s Park + Faldonside. Jessie Boyd3 better. In afternoon paid Jas. Johnston4 for making my new suit = £3. 12. 0. Letter from Helen + P.C. [postcard] of Arundel Castle.5 Agnes Farquharson6 gave me a present of a book she once translated from the Dutch + Pollok7 lent me.
1 Joan Scott Storie, born 21 August 1923 at 30 Curror Street, Selkirk, the daughter of Jemima Storie, woollen darner.
2 Robert Currie, junior (about 1847-1923), woollen hosiery manufacturer, the fourth of five generations at Selkirk with the given name Robert. Son of Robert Currie, hosiery manufacturer, and Mary Little; he married Mary Murray at Selkirk 18 December 1868 and lived at Rockville, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk.
3 Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener, daughter of William Brack Boyd (1831-1918) and Elizabeth ‘Jessie’ Boyd née Wilson, married 1 July 1862 at Morebattle.
4 James Johnston(e) is so far unidentified.
5 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper, appears to have extended her holiday in the south of England well into August and has presumably had a run to Arundel in the South Downs.
6 Even though two additional facts are known, that she was called Agnes and had translated a book from the Dutch, Mrs Farquharson remains unidentified (and bearing in mind Dr Muir’s tendency to call women he knew before they married by their maiden names, she may not even be Mrs Farquharson).
7 Based on the sense of familiarity in Dr Muir’s reference, the best guess is that this is John Pollok (1858-1938), Selkirk’s Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Fine clear morning + a nice day. Glass falling : rained heavily from 7 p.m. Message to Jessie Boyd.1 Cycled to Tower Street, Forest Road, Forest Mill + Faldonside. David2 passed me on his motorcycle on his way to Dees!3 Took Mrs Farquharson4 a bouquet of sweet + everlasting peas5 + roses. Dav. asked me to see Rob Currie, Rockville6 + give him a hypo of Heroin. I put up the town accounts (made out at Mauldsheugh7) for distribution.
1 Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener, daughter of William Brack Boyd (1831-1918) and Elizabeth ‘Jessie’ Boyd née Wilson, married 1 July 1862 at Morebattle.
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
3 Assume Robert Irwin ‘Robber’ Dees (1872-1923), landed proprietor, formerly a marine engineer, son of James William Dees and Eliza Jane Irwin. He controversially inherited a substantial legacy and then moved his family from Newcastle to Faldonside to enjoy its new wealth.
4 Mrs Farquharson is so far unidentified.
5Lathyrus odoratus and Lathyrus latifolius, the sweet pea and the everlasting pea.
6 Robert Currie, junior (about 1847-1923), woollen hosiery manufacturer, the fourth of five generations at Selkirk with the given name Robert. Son of Robert Currie, hosiery manufacturer, and Mary Little; he married Mary Murray at Selkirk 18 December 1868 and lived at Rockville, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk.
7 Mauldsheugh was Dr Graham’s home. It appears that Dr Muir has had another of his routines taken off him.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
A dull day with wind first N.W. + then N.E.E. [sic]. Made four calls + went to morning service. Meeting of Session to decide where we are to worship while the church is being painted for 5 to 7 weeks. We fixed on Victoria Hall. I wasn’t out again except at night to post some papers. I luxuriated in Salmon steaks for breakfast + dinner + some of the finest grapes I have ever tasted, all from the M.C.1 Barbara2 called. She is going to New Zealand in Oct.
1 M.C. is ‘Magic Cave’ as Dr Muir had previously – though not recently as far as the Editor can recall – named Elm Park, Selkirk, the home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).
2 Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), daughter of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir. Listed as Miss A B Roberts of Wellwood, Selkirk, N.B., she travelled 1st Class en route for New Zealand departing 13 October 1923 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 and finally Brisbane [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.
[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 