Rained all day from S.E. Moderate wind. Called at 2.30 a.m. for Peter Borthwick¹ who had died suddenly. Motored to Tait’s Hill, Henderland, Mount Benger Cottages + Lewenshope. Was called into Gordon Arms² to see a child of Mrs Patillo [?] the daughter apparently³ of Mrs Mack the wife of the innkeeper.⁴ It had an abscess on the hip which I opened. On getting home I had to see Dora Barrie⁵ + when leaving met David⁶ + took him back to see her. It was nearly 4.30 before I got any food. Dorothy Barrie no better. Temp. 103. Pollok⁷ called in evening.

¹ Peter Borthwick (about 1853-1923), occupation, died 10 February 1923 aged 70 at Selkirk [1923, 778 / 14, Selkirk].

² Gordon Arms, Yarrow, grid reference NGR NT307,248.

³ The best ‘fit’ is Lily Ross or Mack, later Sowman (1893-) born Greatridgehall, Makerston, Janet Ross’s illegitimate daughter who appears (1901 Census) to have been taken into the Mack household and was later a housemaid, aged 17, at Earlston (1911 Census). She married Bertram Sowman, assistant butler, 24 February 1914 at Shoreditch, London and had three children William B J Sowman (1914-), Janet Lily Ross Sowman (1916-) and Reginald Cyril Mack or Sowman (1919-). Reginald’s birth registration asserts in some detail that Sowman is not the father, whose actual name Dr Muir appears to be providing, albeit semi-illegibly.

⁴ Mrs Mack was Janet Mack née Ross, wife of William Mack, innkeeper at the Gordon Arms Hotel, married Mertoun, 1895.

⁵ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow but was in Viewfield Nursing Home at this time.

⁶ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁷ John Pollok (1858-1938), Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal, Selkirk.

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

No rain + a bright afternoon. Mild : very pleasant. Dorothy Barrie¹ much the same. Temp. about 102^o Saw her thrice. Made 12 calls including Tweed and Linglie Mills² + Hospital. In afternoon cycled to Whitmuir. Mrs Neil³ very well + her sister Mrs Scott⁴ from Ironstone near Lamancha⁵ has gone home.

¹ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow and had been in Viewfield Nursing home since January 1923.

² Both mills were off Dunsdale Road, Selkirk with Linglie Mill one of two mills immediately north east of St Mary’s Mill, Level Crossing Road and Tweed Mill to the south west of Ettrick Riverside.

³ Dr Muir had been attending Christina Neil née Scott of Whitmuir who had given birth to a daughter on 16 January 1923.

⁴ Helen McVittie Scott née Scott (1875-) was recorded at Ironstone Cottages, Lamancha, Newlands Parish, Peeblesshire with her husband Oliver Scott, shepherd, and daughter Christian White Scott (1912-) who had been born at Fanns, Kirkhope, Selkirkshire [1921 Census; statutory births and marriages].

⁵ Ironstone Cottages are south of Lamancha on the A703 and visible on Ordnance Survey six inch Peeblesshire Sheet V.SE, published 1900.

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

Quite mild + a great contrast to yesterday morning. Calm + damp with rain up till about 3. Dorothy Barrie¹ still [illegible]. Her mother² came down. Mrs Davidson of Broadgairhill died at Viewfield at 3.15 a.m.³ I saw a town list of (8) including Lizzie Bell⁴, Magdalen Cottage, walking. Ettrick in top flood. Wrote Guy⁵, Stewart + Tim.⁶ Helen⁷ went to a recital by the Musical Association in the Church. Willie Crichton’s wife (Isa Young) died very suddenly⁸ while he was away getting Graham⁹ to see her.

¹ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow and had been in Viewfield Nursing home since January 1923.

² Isabella Armstrong Barrie née Elliot (about 1866-), wife of Walter Barrie, farmer, and living at Sundhope Farmhouse, Yarrow.

³ Mary Laidlaw Davidson née Dalgleish (about 1862-1923), wife of John Davidson, shepherd, died 8 February 1923 at Viewfield Nursing Home usual residence Braidgairhill, Ettrick, aged 61, of peritonitis and acute gangrenous appendicitis certified by D Charteris Graham M.B., Ch.B. [1923, Davidson, Mary Laidlaw, 778/ 12, Selkirk].

⁴ Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Bell (1866-1937), Tenant Occupier of Magdalene Cottage, Linglie Road, Selkirk, 1921 Valuation Roll; daughter of John Bell, tweed designer, and Joan Bell née Scott, sister of George Bell (1873-1913), sometime bookseller and stationer, with whom she had at one time shared the house. By 1921 the cottage was occupied by Elizabeth and her siblings John (1859-1940), Helen (1875-1937), Caroline (1870-1934) and Williamina ‘Mina’ (1875-1937). Described as a ladies tailoress at the Selkirk Co-operative Society [1921 Census].

⁵ The Reverend Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother.

⁶ Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), two sons of John Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir, both boys presumably away at school.

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

⁸ Isabella ‘Isa’ Young née Crichton (about 1855-1923), wife of William Crichton, publisher, died 8 February 1923, aged 68, at The Maples, Heatherlie, Selkirk [death: 1923, 778 / 13, Selkirk]. In a Register of Corrected Entries (R.C.E.) issued 13 February 1923 by the Procurator Fiscal Dr Graham recorded the cause of death as “Natural causes Probably Heart failure”.

⁹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

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

Cold S.E. wind + leaden sky promising snow which came rather sleety + continued all forenoon but turned to rain, pretty heavy at times. Then the wind shifted to S.W. + it faired. At night it was calm. I walked round the town in forenoon. Dorothy Barrie¹ had a temperature of 104^o + Dav.² detected pleurisy. She was rather better at night. Mrs Davidson³ got steadily worse. This was my 78^th birthday. I got letters from Mary⁴, Guy⁵, Tim⁶ + Isa Paton⁷, who also sent me a book. Mrs Mack⁸ gave me 2 pair knicker stockings⁹ + a book about [illegible]. H.¹⁰ + D.¹¹ each gave me sweets. Nancy + Jack¹² came to dinner + we had some of Jack’s port.

¹ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow and had been in Viewfield Nursing home since January 1923.

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

³ Mary Laidlaw Davidson née Dalgleish (about 1862-1923), wife of John Davidson, shepherd, was at Viewfield Nursing Home, usual residence Braidgairhill, Ettrick.

⁴ Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister, widow of James Wallace, living at Scotstoune, Haslemere, Surrey.

⁵ The Reverend Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother.

⁶ George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), Dr Muir’s grandson, later a mill owner.

⁷ Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929), one of two sisters living on their own means [1901 Census].

⁸ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk.

⁹ The knicker stockings may well be those that Dr Muir wore with his cycling breeks.

¹⁰ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

¹¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter.

¹² John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

[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 1.40 a.m. to see John Brydon, the Library¹ who had severe palpitations. Was a little late in rising. It was a dismal [?] day, windy, drizzling and finally heavy rain at night. Motored to Mill Street, Wellwood, Lewinshope, B’Meadows, Yair + Faldonside where I had lunch with Mrs Dees², Jim + his fiancée³ In Dav’s absence⁴ I was called along to Mrs Reid, W. Port⁵ but he arrived just after me + at night I had to go down to see Easson, Gas Works⁶, and Mrs Davidson⁷ at Viewfield. Dora⁸ came at 7.24 looking wonderfully well.

¹ John Brydon (about 1867-), joiner, lived at the Free Library Buildings, Selkirk with his wife Mary Brydon née Grieve (about 1875-) and daughter Mary Davidson Brydon (1907-) [1921 Census].

² Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), daughter of the Reverend Canon Dr. James Henderson and Jane Lowrey, born 7 April 1872, the Vicarage, Ancroft, Northumberland, died 8 March 1948, She had married, 1898, Robert Irwin Dees, also originally from Northumberland, and they later moved to Faldonside, Galashiels.

³ James Irwin Richardson ‘Jim’ Dees (1901-1956), married, 1924 at Maidenhead, Berkshire, to Evelyn Annie Leigh (1895-1984). An army officer and mining engineer, he is thought to have been killed during the 1950s Cyprus Emergency.

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

⁵ Mrs Mary Barr Muir Reid née Inglis (1890-), Cambuslang-born wife of George Reid, managing Secretary Selkirk Co-operative Society, living at West Port, Selkirk with two sons George Inglis Reid (1913-) and John Inglis Reid (1914-) [1921 Census and Valuation Rolls].

⁶ David Easson was the ‘gas manager’ of the Selkirk Gas Light Co. [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/211, Selkirk Burgh, page 211 of 644].

⁷ Mary Laidlaw Davidson née Dalgleish (about 1862-1923), wife of John Davidson, shepherd, was at Viewfield Nursing Home, usual residence Braidgairhill, Ettrick.

⁸ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter. She had been working away from Selkirk.

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

Another of those extraordinary + complete changes of weather. Yesterday calm : cloudless sunny : Today a gale : drizzling: cloudy sunless! Walked round the town. The child of Nancy’s care taker [sic] at Wellwood¹ ill.² saw him 2^a.³ Did some clerical work but was a good deal disturbed. Wrote Fanny McKenzie.⁴ Got “Herald” from Rennie⁵ with Monday’s death.⁶ but I had seen it in Saturday’s Scotsman. At 10 o’clock Dav.⁷ came to see me as he had to do an enterostomy⁸ on Mrs Davidson⁹ + it was 12 before I got back.

¹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), wife of John Roberts junior and one of Dr Muir’s daughters, living at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk.

² Perhaps John Simpson (about 1869-), butler, born Edinburgh but recorded as living at Wellwood and working for John Roberts junior in a private capacity, 1921 Census. Care taker or care-taker is a term sometimes used alongside butler in historic sources.

³ The Editor is not familiar with this notation.

⁴ Frances Gordon Ord ‘Fanny’ Mackenzie née Rennie (1864-1948), wife of ‘Monty’ Mackenzie, merchant.

⁵ The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924) Dr Muir’s brother-in-law and ‘Monty’ Ord Mackenzie’s father-in-law.

⁶ Montague Allan Ord ‘Monty’ Mackenzie (1854-1923), merchant, whose death Dr Muir noted above his diary entry for 1 February 1923.

⁷ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁸ “An ileostomy or similar surgical operation in which the small intestine is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall or in another part of the intestine” [Oxford Languages].

⁹ Mary Laidlaw Davidson née Dalgleish (about 1862-1923), wife of John Davidson, shepherd, was at Viewfield Nursing Home, usual residence Braidgairhill, Ettrick.

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

A most lovely day. Slight frost + a cloudless sky all day. The crocuses are coming out. I had less to do. There was a message at breakfast time to daft Jas. Robertson, Muthag Street.¹ I got David² to see him later + he diagnosed appendicitis + came down from Bowhill³ + operated in the afternoon. I cycled to Linglie Cottages. Did not get to Church as I had to examine Oldfield the Ettrick Mill manager⁴ for insurances. Jack, Nancy, Jock + Barbara⁵ were at supper.

¹ Assume James Douglas Robertson (1896-), assistant tweed finisher, living at Muthag Street with his parents James Robertson and Elizabeth Douglas. It is not clear why Dr Muir describes him as he did – the 1911 Census does not assign him any sort of disability.

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

³ David Graham had been spending a lot of time at Bowhill attending Lord George Francis John Montagu Douglas Scott (1911-1999), youngest child of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch and his mother Lady Margaret Alice ‘Molly’ Montagu Douglas Scott née Bridgeman (1872-1954), Duchess of Buccleuch.

⁴ Joseph Henry Oldfield (1872-), mill manager of Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society woollen mill (Ettrick Mill) but living with his wife Polly and daughter Muriel Constance at The Vicar’s Knowe, The Glebe, Selkirk [birth: 1872 Huddersfield 9a 391; 1921 Census 778/ 7/ 3, page 3 of 29].

⁵ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and two of their children, Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996) and John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950).

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

Rather colder but quite fresh. Strongish W. wind. Some showers + some sun. Saw a list of 15 in town motoring+ at 1.20 went to Whitmuir, Lilliesleaf (where I saw Mrs Tannoch of Newhall¹ + Riddills [sic], Ashlea)², Woll Rigg + Fauldshope. Getting home at 4.40 found message to Anderson, Eagle’s Nest³ + motored there. Walked from Bengerburn old Toll. Called for Mrs Mills, Mountbenger⁴ later + finished at 9.15.

Some crocuses flowering.

¹ Mrs Tannock is unidentified. John Tannock, farmer, was tenant at Newhall Farm, Bowden, Roxburghshire from the early 1920s to at least 1930 [Valuation Rolls] but the name is common in Ayrshire and he has proved impossible to find in the 1921 Census. There are no marriages in the south east of Scotland that might identify him and his wife either.

² George Riddell (1854-1940), joiner and farmer, was proprietor at Ashlea, Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire in the 1922 Valuation Roll and in the 1821 Census he was recorded at Ashlea, widowed, with his daughter Isabella Lauder Riddell (1885-1939).

³ In the 1921 Census the Anderson family at Eagles Nest, Yarrow (grid reference NGR NT315,259) comprised William Anderson (1872-), shepherd, Agnes Murray Anderson née Nichol (1880-), married 1907 at Eskdalemuir, and their children John Anderson (1907-), Isabella Armstrong Anderson (1909-), Robert James Nichol Anderson (1910-) and Adam Anderson (1916-).

⁴ Helen Mills née Anderson (about 1848-1926), servant, widow of George Mills, blacksmith, allegedly born Cavers, Roxburghshire was recorded at Mountbenger Cottage, Yarrow, 1921 Census, with William Blaikie (about 1855-), cattleman.

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

Fair today. Was able to cycle round the town + to Yair where there was a message to see Mrs Ormiston.¹ On getting home found ’phone from Ettrick to Mrs Anderson, Braidgairhill.² Motored there about 23 miles. Found Mrs A pretty bad with acute appendicitis. There was no other woman in the house so I advised her to come to the Home³ Had difficulty in getting a car as they were all engaged for a party at Levenlea⁴ Mrs Anderson got down about 10.30 + Dav.⁵ operated. I got rather faint during the operation but was able to hold on. It was 1.30 before I got home. Helen⁶ went to the Whist drive at Levenlea with Jack + Nancy.⁷

¹ Bessie Ormiston née Kennedy, birth registered as Betsy Ballantyne Easton (1880-) at Riccalton, Oxnam, daughter of Helen Easton, domestic servant. Bessie married 17 December 1910 at Ashkirk, Selkirk, Samuel Ormiston junior (1881-), farmer at Yair Farm, Caddonfoot, born Jedburgh [1911 Census, 774/A 2/ 6, Caddonfoot, Selkirk].

² It has proved impossible to identify any Mrs Anderson, Braidgairhill or Broadgairhill, south west of Over Kirkhope, Ettrick but it may be that Dr Muir meant Mary Laidlaw Davidson née Dalgleish (about 1862-1923), wife of John Davidson, shepherd, of Braidgairhill, Ettrick.

³ The Home refers to Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk, the Muir and Graham medical co-partnership’s property.

⁴ The Harrison family was at Levenlea, Selkirk (Leavenlea in 1921 Census) around this time. The family comprised John Harrison junior (1886-1981), tweed manufacturer, Beatrice Annie de Fraine (1884-1962) whom John had married in 1917 at Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and a daughter Beatrice de Fraine Harrison (1920-1998), born Selkirk.

⁵ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

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

⁷ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

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

Monty Mackenzie died at Eastbourne¹

David practically living at Bowhill.² The boy George³ seriously ill with pneumonia: cardiac trouble + Otitis.⁴ The Duchess also ill.⁵ Dav. has never once suggested that I should go. This I feel very much but say nothing. Today it was showery + very wet up Yarrow. Motored in town (14), Faldonside (Maycock⁶ + Mrs Dees⁷) and then to Broadmeadows (Inches⁸ servant⁹), Mount Benger Cottages + Henderland where I found James Mitchell rather better + able to be out.¹⁰ Shook hands with Alex Scott (Ladhope) whom I haven’t seen for years.¹¹ He was down at the funeral of Mrs Scott of Deloraine’s son.¹² Had to go down, after getting home, to Green Square in pouring rain.¹³

¹ Montague Allan Ord ‘Monty’ Mackenzie (1854-1923), merchant, husband of Frances Gordon Ord ‘Fanny’ Mackenzie née Rennie (1864-1948), the daughter of the Reverend James Rennie and Catherine Stewart ‘Kate’ Rennie née Muir (1829-1915), Dr Muir’s sister.

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

³ David was attending Lord George Francis John Montagu Douglas Scott (1911-1999), youngest child of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch (see also diary entry for 28 January 2023).

⁴ Otitis Media is inflammation or infection located in the middle ear.

⁵ Lady Margaret Alice ‘Molly’ Montagu Douglas Scott née Bridgeman (1872-1954), Duchess of Buccleuch, Lord George’s mother.

⁶ Assume George James Maycock (1877-1957), butler, later poultry farmer, at this time living at Lower Faldonside, Galashiels with his wife Catherine Maycock née Gow (1874-1959). Born 1877, Ryton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire, sometime a domestic butler at Yair before flitting to Faldonside and later a poultry farmer, he died at Crieff Cottage Hospital, Perthshire.

⁷ Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), daughter of the Reverend Canon Dr. James Henderson and Jane Lowrey, born 7 April 1872, the Vicarage, Ancroft, Northumberland, died 8 March 1948, She had married, 1898, Robert Irwin Dees, also originally from Northumberland, and they later moved to Faldonside, Galashiels.

⁸ John William Gibson Inch (1866-1939), farmer, was at Broadmeadows Farm in the 1921 Census at which time his servant was Barbara Brown aged 17 (see footnote 9). He was born at Dunbar, East Lothian and died at Pathhead, Midlothian.

⁹ Barbara Inglis Brown (1904-1993), born Stobo, Peeblesshire and died at Dalkeith, Midlothian.

¹⁰ Henderland, Megget, north of St Mary’s Loch, grid reference NGR NT232,233, where Dr Muir had been attending the Mitchell family since late 1921.

¹¹ There is an Alexander Scott (about 1845-), grocer, at High Buckholmside, Galashiels in the 1921 Valuation Roll and at Ladhope in the 1921 Census but the connection with the Scotts of Deloraine, if there is one, is not obvious.

¹² The funeral was presumably that of John Scott (1872-1923), retired farmer, who died at ‘Lorraine’, Scott’s Place, Selkirk. Born 1 May 1872 at West Deloraine, Kirkhope, he was the son of John Scott, farmer, and Jane Scott née Thomson, married 29 June 1871 at Yarrow. Jane Scott had taken on the farm when her husband died in 1900 and is recorded as “farmer” at Deloraine Farm in the 1901 Census.

¹³ Dr Muir may have been visiting in connection with a baby that had been born unexpectedly at 8 Green Square, Selkirk on 22 January 1923.

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