A nice day with intermittent sunshine : N.W. wind. Excellent for cycling. I cycled to Heatherlie Park + Hospital. Called at Wellwood. [The] Reverend H Hamilton¹ from Greenock called to be examined for insurance. Left at 1.30 with the cycle club. Picked up Ann Dobson², Jean Bateman³ + Mrs Kemp⁴ at Whitmuihall Toll (making 6 men + three ladies) + went to Penielheugh.⁵ Went up the Tower. 3 men from St Boswells there one whom, Kerr asked if I was the son of the Dr Muir who was with Dr Anderson + said he used to hold my horse in Bowden!⁶ We came back by Ancrum + Belses Was down at Mauldsheugh⁷ for supper.

¹ Assume the Reverend William H Hamilton who briefly appears at Union Street, Greenock in the Valuation Roll of 1925. He may conceivably be William H Hamilton (1886-1958), later (1927) the General Secretary of the World Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in 1927. In addition to being a United Free Church minister (he had no middle name but adopted the letter H seeking to avoid confusion with relatives called William Hamilton [The Cambridge Dictionary of Hymnology ‘William (H) Hamilton’, accessed 14 August 2023].

² Perhaps Annie Dobson (1887-), powerloom weaver.

³ Jean Bateman may be Jane Ann Bateman (1904-).

⁴ Mrs Kemp cannot be distinguished from a number of married women of a likely age named Kemp in Selkirk.

⁵ The Waterloo Monument at Penielheugh, Crailing, Roxburghshire, grid reference NGR NT65350,26300.

⁶ This is an understandable assumption. Dr Muir had been in practice at Selkirk for about 55 years at the time of this meeting. John Stewart Muir entered medical practice at Selkirk in the late 1860s when he started working for Henry Scott Anderson (about 1812-1890), MD, FRCS. The 1871 Census records that Dr Muir lodged with Dr Anderson after moving to Selkirk. Dr Muir also rode a horse before he took up cycling and that transition may have confused Mr Kerr too.

⁷ Dr Muir must have dined with David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner, and his wife Norah Campion Graham née West (1887-1971).

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

A dull wet morning + the wind round to S.W + a big fall of barometer. It faired however + the wind went back to N.W. + the rest of the day was fine. Walked to Mavisbank, St Mary’s Mill, Cannon Street, Forest Road + Backrow. Had an enquiry from Arnolds¹ about Rob Wallace.² There was a party at Wellwood for Barbara’s coming of age³ which passed off very successfully. I left about 11.30.

¹ The way Dr Muir normally writes on these occasions suggests a medical contact but nothing jumps off the page of the UK & Ireland Medical Registers.

² Rob Wallace is so far unidentified.

³ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts (1902-1996), born 11 August 1902 at Te Whare, Selkirk, the daughter of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir.

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

A dry day with a fair amount of sunshine + modest temperature. I saw only one town case + one at Philiphaugh Cottages. Mr Neave, the clergyman at Innerleithen¹ with whom Ernest’s children are staying ’Phoned that Alec + May² would leave at 10 + I started about that time to meet them expecting to get as far as Clovenfords or further but I met them at Yair Bridge, a nice boy + girl at 15 and 13 [years old]. I gave them lunch at 1 + then we walked out via the Loan to Gala Rigg + back via Pot Loch. The view was good + I pointed out all the places of interest to them. Then we came back + I had tea at which to my surprise Boylan³ turned up. Some good financial news having evidently recuperated him. The children left at 6 + I went round with them to Yair Bridge via Rink.⁴

¹ The Reverend David Low Neave (1875-1950), Congregational Church Minister at Innerleithen around this time.

² Alexander Stewart ‘Alec’ Muir (1908-), born India, and his sister May or Mary Muir (for whom no additional information is as yet available) were the children of Ernest Muir (1880-1974), MD, FRCS, LLD, CIE, CMG, medical missionary and educator, and Dr Muir’s nephew, and Sophie or Sophia Muir née Vartan (1878-1234).

In a Forrest Gump meets John Stewart Muir moment, Ernest and Sophie Muir arrived 21 June 1948 at Tilbury on the M.V. Empire Windrush, Official Number 181561, en route from Trinidad [UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 for Sophie Muir, London, England, 1948 Jun.].

³ Dr Muir had been attending Shawpark, Selkirk from time to time to see John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), a civil engineer, who had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.

⁴ The Rink, grid reference NGR NT482,323, and Yair Bridge, NT458,325, both Caddonfoot parish.

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

A coldish N.W. wind today + a shower between 1 + 2 : otherwise fair. I felt better today + the “seedy” feeling has left. Enjoyed my food. Cycled to Beechwood, Mavisbank, Hospital + Shawpark.¹ Pulled raspberries till stopped by shower. Took pulled strawberries for my little guests tomorrow.² Mrs Hilson³ with her daughter Mrs Senior + Mr Senior⁴ left cards. Enjoyed reading “Catriona”.⁵ Annie Little from Hawkshaw called.⁶ Wrote Helen⁷ enclosing a P.C. [postcard] from Tina Scott.⁸

¹ Dr Muir had been attending Shawpark, Selkirk from time to time to see John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), a civil engineer, who had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.

² This looks as if it refers to the time Dr Muir was to spend the following day with Alexander Stewart ‘Alec’ Muir (1908-) and his sister May or Mary Muir (for whom no additional information is as yet available), the children of Ernest Muir (1880-1974), MD, FRCS, LLD, CIE, CMG, medical missionary and educator, and Sophie or Sophia Muir née Vartan.

³ Alice P Hilson née Anderson, daughter of Alexander Anderson M.D., and Eliza Anderson née Gillespie, and married to Archibald Hilson.

⁴ Elizabeth Gillespie Hilson (1870-1939), daughter of Alice and Archibald Hilson (above), had married Henry William Richard Senior on 5 November 1892 in Bengal, India.

⁵ Catriona, 1893, by Robert Louis Stevenson.

⁶ Ann Helen ‘Annie’ Little (1894-1968), born Hawkshaw, Kirkhope, Selkirkshire, December 1894, registered January 1895, daughter of John Little, gamekeeper, and Sophia Little née Baker, married 1893 at Jedburgh. Annie was Dr Muir’s servant for 6½ years until early 1918 when she left go to Moffat Hydro Military Hospital as a member of the wartime Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment and awarded a V.A.D. Service Stripe [‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s.’, the Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922].

⁷ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

⁸ Tina Scott is so far unidentified.

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

I had an awful night of Colicky dyspepsia + felt pretty seedy all day. Fortunately I had almost nothing to do. I banked some money. Called for Mrs Wilson¹, at least I met her on my way + walked up to the house with her, + then I cycled down to Faldonside + called for Jessie Boyd.² Ailie³ + Emma⁴ were there. Took very little breakfast + lunch. Called for Mrs Farquharson.⁵ Got letters from Helen⁶, Jean⁷ + Gerty⁸, the latter offering a visit on 27th : Baptie⁹ went for his holiday. Nice warm day.

¹ Mrs Wilson might just be Violet Ballantyne née Wilson of Eastfield, Bowden, whom Dr Muir had seen the evening before.

² Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), daughter of William Brack Boyd (1831-1918) and Elizabeth ‘Jessie’ Boyd née Wilson, married 1 July 1862 at Morebattle. Jessie was later of Faldonside, a plantswoman and gardener. Born 1867, baptised 20 Oct 1867 at Chatton, Glendale, Northumberland, died 21 May 1961, aged 93, at Selkirk, Selkirkshire.

³ Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson or Boyd-Wilson, later Milne (1890-1955), born Alie Brack Boyd-Wilson, Sep Quarter 1890, Blean, Kent, 2a 809; sometimes officially recorded as Alice but correctly recorded on the 1911 Census when she, her mother Mary Ethel and sister Dawn were at Elwyn Road, Exmouth, Devon; changed her name to Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson Milne, 25 June 1920 [London Gazette, 30 November 1920]; died March Quarter 1955, aged 64, Hendon 5e 628.

⁴ Emma Mary Brack Boyd (1865-1949), Jessie Brack Boyd’s sister.

⁵ Mrs Farquharson is so far unidentified.

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

⁷ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s widowed eldest daughter.

⁸ Probably Margaret Douglas ‘Gerty’ Ord Gillan, née Mackenzie (1891-1973), daughter of Montague Allan Ord Mackenzie and Frances Gordon ‘Fanny’ Ord Mackenzie Rennie, but it is unwise to ignore the possibility that it is Gertrude Isabella ‘Gerty’ Craig Brown (1873-1965), Red Cross VAD with over 1000 hours’ service, 1914-about 1919 [‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s.’, the Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922]; daughter of Thomas Craig Brown and sister of Clive.

⁹ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

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

Went down in the car to Sunderland Hall + helped Dav.¹ who was doing tonsils + adenoids on Charlie + Sophia.² Came back to Mill Street +c + then had to go up to Beechwood³ to see the nurse with a stye! + I then went to Shawpark.⁴ Mrs Ballantyne, Eastfield walked in in the evening with her son Robert + I made Bella⁵ give them tea for which the decent lady wanted to pay 2/- !⁶

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

² Charles Andrew Scott Plummer (1912-1959) and Sophia Scott Plummer (1916-1990), children of Charles Henry Scott Plummer and Muriel Grace Scott Plummer née Johnstone-Douglas of Sunderland Hall, Selkirk.

³ Beechwood, Linglie Road, Selkirk. Dr Muir is not specific which of the two Beechwood properties he is referring to but Jemima Colville (1857-1932) was recorded in the 1921 Census at Beechwood Villa, Selkirk, with a nurse Elsie Morrison Simpson living in.

⁴ Dr Muir is evidently getting fed up (see diary entry for 10 August 1923) attending Shawpark, Selkirk to see John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), a civil engineer, who had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.

⁵ 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].

⁶ Violet Ballantyne née Wilson, wife of Arthur Ballantyne, and her younger son Robert Ballantyne (1905-), born Ashkirk. The family lived at Eastfield, Bowden, just south of the Selkirk – St Boswells road [1921 Census]. The Editor assumes that they presented themselves at evening consultation in some sort of difficulty.

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

I had very little to do + hardly did did it : saw 2 patients! To my horror I had a twinge of my old Sciatica which was probably due to a twist when I nearly fell off the bicycle near Kelso on the way home yesterday. I called at Wellwood + drank Barbara’s health¹ + saw John Roberts.² Went to evening service. Read “Kidnapped”.

¹ It was the 21st Birthday of Dr Muir’s granddaughter Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts (1902-1996). Later in 1923 she left for what turned out to be a life in New Zealand, departing London on 13 October 1923 on the Orient Line’s Clydebank-built R.M.S. Ormonde en route for New Zealand.

² Assume 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.

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

N.W. With David¹ back I shall have little to do. Saw Maggie Niven, Mavisbank² + left at 10.30 with Jock³ cycling en route for Etal. It was a glorious day with moderate W. wind + we got along all right till beyond Bowden Toll. Jock’s back tyre deflated + after twice inflating it we stopped at Somers’ to mend it. He picked me up at Rutherford + we went on to Roxburgh Castle where we stopped + had some grapes + cake + enjoyed the view over Teviot. We went from Kelso via Holefield⁴ + Mindrum, Thorningham, Howtel + Ford + reached Etal about 3.30.⁵ Saw a [illegible] between Etal + Eglinton. Met the Roberts’s [?], Jack, Nancy, the boys + Louise + had tea at the old castle. Left about 4.55 + came back by Crookham + Sprouston reaching home about 8.30. Coming back we did the first 29 miles in 3 hours + only walked a bit at the 4^th mile. Our run was 70.4 [miles].⁶ The wind had completely fallen + the run home was done in the best possible conditions. Barbara came up + I gave her the pendant from Helen + [illegible]⁷

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner had been to a military camp.

² Margaret R ‘Maggie’ Niven (about 1893-) was recorded living with her mother at “Mavis Bank”, Selkirk [1921 Census]. Born Irvine, Ayrshire, she was a powerloom weaver for Gibson & Lumgair, tweed manufacturer.

³ Dr Muir appears to have spent some time during the day with his daughter Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir and her family John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), John ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), Louisa Jane ‘Louise’ Roberts, later Rutherford (1906-1982), Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005).

⁴ Holefield Farm, Sprouston, Roxburghshire was the birthplace of the poet William Henry ‘WH’ Ogilvie on 21st August 1869. Ogilvie and his wife Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Ogilvie née Scott Anderson settled at Ashkirk and in May 1922 Dr Muir advised the couple on a route for a riding trip from Holefield to Buttermere [Dr Muir’s diary entries for 15th, 17th and 24th May 1922 May 1922].

⁵ The cyclists travelled across Roxburghshire and into the area of Northumberland north of The Cheviot.

⁶ Dr Muir used a velometer, which explains the precision with which he gave distances that he had travelled.

⁷ On her 17th birthday (11 August 1919) Barbara had been given a crystal pendant with monogram which had belonged to Bessie Rodger, a member the Rodgers of Selkirk, Dr Muir’s wife Andrina Barbara Henderson Rodger’s family.

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

Magnificent sunrise which I saw from my bed : fine clear sunny day. Letter to Helen¹ from Dora² + a P.C. [postcard] from Mrs Murray Brown³ which I sent on to H [Helen]. Cycled round town : readjusted splint on the boy Smith’s leg at Heatherlie Park.⁴ Messages to Scott, Chapel Street⁵ + people called Williamson at Dunreay. Cycled to Chapel Street [and] didn’t get my lunch till 3.30. Called for Robt. Currie⁶ + Mrs Fowler⁷ on my way back. Message to Boylan.⁸ He is becoming a nuisance. Got a very kind note from Mrs Hilson.⁹ She is staying with the Clappertons¹⁰ + I must call for her. Graham returned from Camp.¹¹

¹ Helen Muir was evidently still away, presumably at Haslemere in Surrey.

² Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, was living and working in Egypt.

³ It is possible that this refers to the wife of James Murray Brown who was the proprietor of the Traquair Arms, Innerleithen, 1925 Valuation Roll.

⁴ Dr Muir had been seeing someone, presumably a child of James Smith, barber, at Heatherlie Park, Selkirk (see diary entries for 6 and 7 August 1923). They are otherwise unidentified.

⁵ The only Scott at Chapel Street at this time appears to be Mrs Agnes Scott at No. 27.

⁶ Assume 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, 18 December 1868, Selkirk, Mary Murray and lived at Rockville, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk. He died 6 September 1923, death certified by D Charteris Graham M.B., Ch.B.

⁷ Assume Janet Fowler née Latto (1868-1924), wife of William Fowler (about 1863-1933), Public Assistance officer. Inspector of Poor and Registrar, Selkirk. Married in 1890, they lived at Topsfield, Goslawdales, Selkirk.

⁸ Dr Muir had been attending Shawpark, Selkirk from time to time to see John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), a civil engineer, who had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.

⁹ Dr Muir had the day before met Alice P Hilson née Anderson, daughter of Alexander Anderson M.D., and Eliza Anderson née Gillespie, who had married a surgeon in the Indian Army and had been at Upland, Ettrick Road, Selkirk seeing Charlotte Alexander, her contemporary. They were both born at Kirkhope, Selkirkshire, so this may have been a childhood friendship maintained.

¹⁰ Perhaps the Clapperton family, photographers.

¹¹ Graham had been at some sort of military camp.

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

It had evidently rained all night + Ettrick was very big : but it was fair when I left in the car at 10 to 9 for Deuchar Mill : found Flora¹ much easier. Made some calls coming back + then cycled to Shawpark² and Broomhill (Graham + Morrison³) +c. Went to Upland⁴ to tea to meet Mrs Hilson (Alice Anderson⁵) and dined at Elmpark⁶ (Durnford⁷ + a man Collett⁸). Lovely sunset. Very pleasant.

¹ Flora is so far unidentified. The 1921 Census recorded the occupants of Deuchar Mill, Yarrow as Henry Hogg, farmer, aged 75, his wife Christina, 62, and the children Adam, 40, Neil, 30, Elizabeth, 32, daughter-in-law Ada, 35, and granddaughter Jean, 4.

² Dr Muir had been attending Shawpark, Selkirk from time to time to see John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), a civil engineer, who had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.

³ These two are so far unidentified.

⁴ The 1921 Census recorded the occupants of Upland, Ettrick Road, Selkirk as Charlotte Alexander, aged 69, born Kirkhope, Selkirkshire, and a servant Alice Donaldson. Charlotte Ann Thynne Alexander née Mitchell (about 1853-1926) was the widow of Charles Alexander, solicitor.

⁵ Alice P Anderson, daughter of Alexander Anderson M.D., and Eliza Anderson née Gillespie, had married Archibald Hilson, surgeon in H.M. Indian Army, in 1869 at St John’s Episcopal Church, Jedburgh.

⁶ Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).

⁷ Assume Norman Stanley M Durnford (1889-1965), businessman, of Stoke Bishop, Bristol, Mrs Mackintosh’s son-in-law, married to Agnes Watson Harper (1888-1976).

⁸ Collett is unidentified.

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