Dry pleasant day not so warm as Monday but warmer than yesterday. Mrs Thomas Cleghorn1, Muthag Street began labour. Saw her thrice. Gave Mrs Graham (Edith Scott) gas + opened her breast.2 Her kid is a shade better. Cycled to Hospital + Ravensheugh en route for Brockhill3 but got a message to Braidgairhill4 + came back for car + went up there calling at Brockhill + Craighill.5 Got back at 7.
1 Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Cleghorn née Wallace, wife of Tom Cleghorn, married 1922 at Selkirk.
2 Ian George Francis Graham (1923-), born 27 May 1923 at Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk, the son of Edith Graham née Scott and Thomas Newton Graham, political secretary, married 8 June 1916 at Selkirk.
Much cooler : more wind + less sunshine but dry. Mrs Dunn’s1 nurse Ogilvie2 laid up + I had to go twice – at 5 to dress the breast. Message to Sund. Hall3 to see girl aet 6.4 Cycled there, The Firs5 + Newark Mill.6 Very lovely on Duchess’s Walk.7 Message to see Mrs Todd the servant at Bridgelands.8 Cycled there, Hospital + Dandswall.9 Baptie10 took Tina11 + Bessie12 in car to call for the Crystals at Melrose.13 Got Ordnance maps of Haslemere, Portsmouth + District14
1 Assume this refers to Agnes Ralph Dunn née Waldie (1858-1926), of 1 Marion Crescent, Selkirk.
2 Nurse Ogilvie is as yet unidentified.
3 Sunderland Hall, Selkirk, home of the Scott Plummer family.
4 The Scott Plummer family did not have a child of the right age in the 1921 Census so this must refer to the child of a visitor.
5 The Firs, Selkirk, home of the Smith family which comprised Patrick Smith (1858-1930), advocate and sheriff-substitute, his wife Alice Smith née Paterson (1863-1943), and, at different times, their children Ralph Colley Smith (1891-1957), Alice Barbara Stewart Smith (1892-1970), Edith Margaret Smith, later Wilson (1896-1976), Herbert Shaw Smith (1897-1917), Constance Harper Smith (1900-1977) and David Anderson Smith (1904-1976).
6 Newarkmill, part of the Bowhill Estate. It is not made clear whom Dr Muir was visiting.
7 The picturesque Duchess’s Drive at Bowhill.
8 Mrs Todd is so far unidentified at Bridgelands, which is on the Lindean side of Selkirk, owned by the Rodger family of Selkirk but occupied by a number of different households.
9 Miss Elizabeth D Ballantyne was proprietor and occupier at Dandswall, Shawpark Road, Selkirk, 1923 Valuation Roll.
10 Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.
11 Assume Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (about 1846-1924), daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official.
12 Assume Elizabeth Maud ‘Bessie’ Patrick (1881-1945), daughter of Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (about 1846-1924) and David Patrick, solicitor, of Hamilton.
13 The Reverend James Robert Crystal or Chrystal (about 1840-1930), Congregational minister, sometime of Woodlea, High Cross Avenue, Melrose, widower of Margaret Sophia Chrystal née Riddell (about 1840-1913). In common with many others, the late collection of the 1921 Census data saw Mr Chrystal on the move, in his case on holiday at Elie, Fife.
14 Dr Muir was planning his July holiday in Surrey and Hampshire.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
A really warm summer day at last with slight N.W. wind. One felt almost too warm at times + I motored without a Great Coat. Walked round the town making 18 calls. Cycled down to Dandswall to see Mrs Hawkins1 who lives with the Ballantynes.2 Got letter from Jessie Hayes3 asking me to buy one of Rob. Sword’s Cocker Spaniels,4 which I did. Motored to Castleside5, walking to Deepslade6 on the way. Took Tina Patrick7. Got fine basket of strawberries for Mrs Mack.8 Wrote Jean9 + sent 10/- for her birthday.
1 Mrs Hawkins is so far unidentified.
2 Miss Elizabeth D Ballantyne was proprietor and occupier at Dandswall, Shawpark Road, Selkirk, 1923 Valuation Roll.
3 Jessie Geddes Thomson Hayes née Muir (1860-1930), daughter of Alexander Muir and thus Dr Muir’s niece.
4 See Dr Muir’s diary for 12 June 1923 where Dr Muir refers to one Rob Sword as having a litter of black Cocker Spaniels. As noted there this is presumably Robert Sword (1883-1941), caretaker at Selkirk Social Institute, recorded living with his family at 51 High Street, Selkirk in the 1921 Census. There is however a caveat.
6 Deepslaids, Selkirk, NT485,268, on the south side of the Common, where Dr Muir had attended the Henry family in May 1931, see diary entries for Muir had attended the Henry family at Deepslaids, Selkirk (on the south side of the Common) the day before, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 2 and 3 May 1923.
7 Assume Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (about 1846-1924), daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official.
8 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.
9 Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, widowed in 1921.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
The most summerlike day we have had. Bright sunshine up till 5 or 6 : very slight N.E. wind. Clouded over in evening + glass falling. Made 14 town calls + cycled via Carterhaugh1 [?] to Ettrickbridgend2 + Hyndhope.3 Lovely about Ettrickbridgend. Came back by Brockhill4 to see Mrs Benzie5 who has let the Manse.6 Supped at Elmpark.7
1 This appears to read Carterhaugh, Selkirk, grid reference NGR NT437,268.
2 Ettrickbridge-end, Kirkhope, area of NT388,242.
3 Hyndhope, Kirkhope, NT367,211.
4 Brockhill, Kirkhope, NT396,248.
5 Mrs Benzie(s) cannot be identified (it appears to read Bewzie but that is not an option as nobody of that name lived in Scotland in 1921).
6 Assume Kirkhope Manse which is near Brockhill and of which the proprietor was the Reverend George E Mackenzie (about 1865-), M.A., B.D., Church of Scotland minister who was liferenter, though he had been at Kirkhope 20 years before, and had moved to Coats, Old Monkland Parish, Lanarkshire in 1906.
7 Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
A dull dry day with slight N. wind + not very cold. I had a pretty busy day from 9.30 till 7.15. Cycled to Hospital +c. Met nurse Beck1 at Mrs Fowler2 at 10 + dressed wound. Went round by Rockville, Backrow, Kirkwynd, [illegible] Place, +c + Forest Road. Saw Mrs Dunn3 at 12.30. Had lunch + cycled to Midlem, Lilliesleaf + W Riddell West Lodge. Message to see Sinclair Ross’ little girl.4 Put long splint on May [?] Ann Fairgrieve.5 Had a call from John S Muir Johnston who will be 57 on July 17th. He was looking well + had his second wife with him.6 I didn’t know him.
1 Elizabeth Fyfe Beck (1865-1954), nurse, born Dumfriesshire, died Ceres, Fife. The Southern Reporter, 10 August 1916, describes her as a District Nurse at Selkirk before she was released to take up military nursing.
2 Mrs Fowler is so far unidentified.
3 Assume this refers to Agnes Ralph Dunn née Waldie (1858-1926), of 1 Marion Crescent, Selkirk.
4 Alison Spottiswoode Ross (1916-), daughter of Sinclair Ross, Caithness born solicitor, and Alison Ross née Spottiswoode, married 1905 at Melrose.
5 Mary or possibly May Ann Fairgrieve is so far unidentified. She was injured at Gala Rig during the Selkirk Common Riding, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 15 June 1923.
6 John Stewart Muir Johnston (1867-1938), the first baby Dr Muir delivered at Selkirk; he lived in Hawick and had written to Dr Muir on 17 July 1917, the occasion of his Jubilee. The Editor can only find a reference to one wife and J S M Johnston was referred to as a bachelor at his 1895 marriage to Agnes Higgins.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
There was actually 2½o frost last night at Elmpark.1 It was a brilliant morning with no wind : got duller in afternoon + began to rain between 6 + 7. Altogether we were lucky in such a day for the Common Riding. There was a huge gathering + 140 riders. I saw the start. Lord Dalkeith2 was there + came to breakfast with the Ogilvies3 + Boylan.4 Jack5 rode a horse that Dalkeith lent him. I cycled in town + to Ovenscloss, Firs + Ravensheugh, Bridgelands + Hospital. Had to see Lilly Geddes6 who was knocked over by a horse at the Gala Rigg7 where old Tom Gowanlock8, Hawthornbank, was also seriously injured. Then Mary Anne Fairgrieve9 fell + hurt her hip : a woman fainted in the Backrow + Janet Steele10 sprained her ankle. Tom Gowanlock died.
1 Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Dr Muir’s friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).
2 Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott (1894-1973), at this time Earl of Dalkeith, succeeding as the 8th Duke of Buccleuch in 1935. Between war service with the 4th (Territorial) King’s Own Scottish Borderers and his succession as Duke of Buccleuch he was Member of Parliament for Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire (1923-1935).
3 William Henry Ogilvie (1869-1963), author, journalist and one of Australia’s great Bush poets, his wife Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Scott Anderson (1879-1965) and their family stayed at Kirklea, Ashkirk. How many were at breakfast on this occasion is not known.
4 John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, of Shawpark, Selkirk, an acquaintance of Dr Muir who was present when Boylan had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.
5 John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner.
6 Perhaps Lilias N Geddes (about 1905-), born Glasgow but living at Scaurneuk, Yarrow and working at Selkirk [1921 Census].
7 Gala Rig is the location of the race course at Selkirk Common.
8 Thomas Govanlock (about 1842-1923), retired gardener, widower of Christina Shankies, died 7 p.m. 15 June 1923 at Hawthornbank Lodge, Selkirk, of fracture of base of skull and shock following severe injuries received at 3.30. p.m. through being “knocked down by a runaway horse on the road to Gala Rig, Sundheugh, Selkirk”, certified by James Menzies M.D.
9 Mary Ann Fairgrieve is so far unidentified.
10 Perhaps Janet Steele (1881-1957), woollen weaver, around this time living at Raeburn Place with her sister Christina [1921 Census].
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
A fine day. N.E. [wind] + sunshine up till 5. Was called out at 3.30 for Bob Brunton, Backrow1 who had flatulent colic. Was a little late for breakfast. Made 15 town calls + cycled to Whitmuir + Midlem + then to Curror Street + Forest Road. After lunch at 3.40 motored to Newarkburn, Old Mill Farm + Philipgh Cottages, taking Tina with me. Went to Colonial Bussin’ + proposed thanks to Austral. + Canad. Souters for their gifts.2
1 Robert ‘Bob’ Brunton (1867-1956), Willow Machine wool worker for J Craig Brown & Co. lived with his wife and extended family at 42 Backrow, Selkirk [1921 Census].
2 The Southern Reporter has detailed coverage of the Selkirk Common Riding in its 21 June 1923 edition including a report on The Colonial Society’s bussin’ of their Standard at the Picture House (page 4). Dr Muir, who was “greeted with loud cheers” called for a vote of thanks to the donors for their “generous gifts to the prizes of the Common-Riding sports”. Elsewhere in the same paper it is noted that the Australian Souters and their Canadian counterparts had sent telegrams to Provost Crichton sending Greeting.
[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 3.20 a.m. to see Mrs Neil1, Forest Road. She broke her leg when I was away. Gave her a hypo of Heroin for pain in back + again in the evening. It was fair today with a very strong + sharp N.W. wind : paid 18 visits walking + cycling + after lunch cycled to see Tom Mitchell2, Ettrickbridgend. Went to Red X meeting at 4.30. Tina3 + Bessie4 arrived at 6. Sent Baptie5 to the Haugh6 to try + find Hutchinson7 – to whom Dav.8 paid a visit at Greendemains9 + who had left when I went there yesterday – but he couldn’t trace him.
1 Assume Jane Neill née Laurie or Lawrie (1858-1929), widow of John Brown Neill, woollen factory manager. In 1923 she was the Proprietor Occupier of a house and garden at Hill View, Forest Road [Valuation Roll].
2 Thomas Mitchell (1867-1937), master joiner was proprietor of the ‘tenants improvements gas engine’, ‘tenants erections’ and a hayshed at Ettrickbridgend, Kirkhope [1923 Valuation Rolls].
3 Tina is presumably Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (about 1846-1924).
4 Bessie was presumably Elizabeth Maud ‘Bessie’ Patrick (1881-1945), daughter of Christina Robertson ‘Tina’ Patrick née Rodger (above) and David Patrick, solicitor, of Hamilton.
5 Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.
6 Assume Station Haugh at Selkirk which does not appear to be on any maps but to judge by the Valuation Rolls must be in the area of Ettrickvale Mill and Whinfield.
7 Assume Fred. J S Hutchison (about 1883-), born Utah, U.S.A., who was recorded living in a tent, with his wife and three children, at Deuchar Mill, Yarrow, in the 1921 Census.
8 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
9 Presumably Hutchison had been staying in the area of Greendemains, the stiff ascent (if travelling southwards) between Braw Gates and Brown Moor Heights, just before the Selkirk Ashkirk boundary and running through indicative grid reference NT471,252.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Clear in early morning but soon clouded + rained more or less till ? well on in afternoon. Saw a few walking + then motored to Buccleuch Road, Rockville, Lilliesleaf, Greendemain1 + Henhouse + after lunch to Forest Road, Muthag Street, Firs, Newarkburn + Yarrow Hall. Wrote Mary2 that Helen3 + I would be with her on July 16.4 Sent Jessie Hayes5 P.C. [post card] to tell her that Rob Sword6 has a litter of Black Cockers. Had a meeting in the hayloft of cyclists when the Selkirk Cycle Club was inaugurated, officials appointed + rules approved.
1 Greendemains, the stiff ascent (if travelling southwards) between Braw Gates and Brown Moor Heights running through indicative grid reference NT471,252.
2 Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister, who Dr Muir and Helen were preparing to visit in July 1923.
3 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
4 There is some sort of superscript notation here that the Editor has not tried to reproduce.
5 Jessie Geddes Thomson Hayes née Muir (1860-1930), daughter of Alexander Muir and thus Dr Muir’s niece.
6 Presumably Robert Sword (1883-1941), caretaker at Selkirk Social Institute, recorded living with his family at 51 High Street, Selkirk in the 1921 Census. By coincidence however the Southern Reporter’s reports on the Selkirk Common Riding (21 June 1923) refers to Robert Sword of Linthithgow (who is otherwise unidentified) representing the Lothian Souters.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Fair today W. to N.W. Clear at night. Cycled to Halliday’s Park and Hospital. Gave chlor[oform] to Jas. Renton1 while Dav.2 [did] a Supra pubic cystostomy. He has a large + possibly malignant Prostate. Spent the afternoon making up a speech for the toast of the “Distinguished Guests”3 (viz. Sir John Roberts4, Sir Thomas Henderson5 + Lord Dalkeith6, 7) which I gave at the dinner to the Standard Bearer. There were 130 there with And. Harper8 in the Chair. I sat between Sir Thomas Henderson + Charlie Roberts.9 Came away at 11.
1 It is not as yet possible to identify James Renton.
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
3 The Standard Bearers Dinner at Selkirk is held on the Monday of Common Riding week.
4 This must refer to Sir John Roberts (1845-1934), C.M.G., who had been widowed the year before but travelled ‘home’ (he was born in Selkirk) on the White Star Dominion Line’s SS Corinthic, Official Number 115296, from Wellington, New Zealand, arriving Southampton, England on 15 May 1923.
5 Sir Thomas Henderson (1874-1951), woollen manufacturer and Liberal Party. politician. He was a director of Messrs Innes, Henderson and Co. Ltd., hosiery manufacturers of Hawick, and briefly served as Member of Parliament for Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire (1922-1923).
6 Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott (1894-1973), at this time Earl of Dalkeith, and 8th Duke of Buccleuch from 1935. Between war service with the 4th (Territorial) King’s Own Scottish Borderers and his succession as Duke of Buccleuch he was Member of Parliament for Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire (1923-1935).
7 Lord Dalkeith was to take Sir Thomas Henderson’s seat at the United Kingdom general election that same year. On 6 December 1923 at Roxburgh & Selkirk Dalkeith received 11,258 votes (43.1%) to Henderson’s 8,046 (30.8%) with George Dallas in third place with 6,811 (26.1%).
8 Assume Andrew Hampton Harper (1884-1968), grain merchant, of Hillside Terrace, Selkirk. Born Selkirk, he had married, 1917, Lexa Mary Borthwick. In 1920 they had a daughter, Dorothy Haliburton Harper.
9 Assume Charles Henry ‘Charlie’ Roberts (1877-1954), born New Zealand, tweed manufacturer, of Thornfield, 25 Scott’s Place, Selkirk.
[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 