Feeling ever so much better for yesterday’s run. Saw a few town cases and was from 11 till nearly 2 at Viewfield where Dav.¹ operated on Mrs Hill² for ovarian cysts involving the uterus. He did a hysterectomy but thought there are signs of malignant degeneration. Walked cycled down to Hospital in afternoon. Dora³ went to the Picture Ho. with Nancy⁴ + I dined alone. It was a nice day with less wind. Letter from Jean⁵ giving a bad account of Pike⁶. Sent her some [? A.K.H]. Called for Mrs Farquharson⁷ + for Mrs Scott⁸ Anderson¹, who was out.

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

² Mrs Hill is not identified

³ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁴ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁵ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁶ Frederick Charles Pike (1883-1921), Dr Muir’s son-in-law who was very ill

⁷ Mrs Farquharson is not identified but Dr Muir referred in 1915 to “Was called out upon breakfast to see a Mrs Farquharson at Rockville, a niece of” [Mrs Emma Elizabeth Esther Boylan nee Matson] “& sister of Mrs Boler, who had gall stone.”

⁸ Joan Scott Anderson née Shaw (about 1857-1936), widow of T Scott Anderson and mother of Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Scott Anderson who married W H Ogilvie

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Rose at 5: breakfasted 6 + left at 7.5 for Foulden¹. It was a lovely clear … with a S.W. to W. wind. I took it very easy to Smedheugh² + from there went along with very little exertion. I went via Mertoun Bridge, Mainberry, Courthill, Stitchill + Eastfield to Orange Lane³. Between the 2 latter I went over a disused road, just a farm track with long dew covered grass⁴ but I managed without dismounting. Once on the main road I got along without the least exertion. Turned off the main road to Whitsome + then to Allanton + Chirnside⁵. Got to Foulden West Mains⁶ at 11.20 without fatigue + no thirst. The views were splendid. Found Mrs Craw⁷ + Dorothy⁸ at home. Frank⁹ + Craw¹⁰ were out shooting. Mrs Craw is a niece of Mr R M Ballantyne¹¹ + my boyhood’s friend Jane Grant¹². Foulden Mains (where Craw was born + which he has bought) is a farm of 1,000 acres. The house is an old fashioned 3 storey one with a flight of steps to the front door. Saw Frank’s two girls Diana + Margaret¹³. Had lunch + left at 2, returning via Hutton + turning off by Kelso racecourse. The wind was against me + I was pretty tired when I got back. Had a lovely Jargonelle pear¹⁴ that Craw gave me, at Mainberry.

¹ Foulden, Berwickshire, grid reference NGR NT932,558

² Smedheugh, Selkirk, just east of Selkirk Golf Club, NT NT489,279

³ Dr Muir travelled from Mertoun Bridge, NT609,320, along the B6404 though the junction at NT673,351 past Mainberry, NT679,357 and Courthill, NT688,365, presumably across Stichill Bridge to Stichill, NT713,384 before continuing north eastwards before turning south east to Stichill Eastfield, NT732,397

⁴ The Editor speculates that this refers to the track that runs just north west of Eccles Hill, linking Harlaw road end and Crosshall, through grid reference NGR NT754,417, en route between Stichill Eastfield and Orange Lane, NT773,425; it is shown as a road or track on Ordnance Survey Six Inch Berwickshire Sheet XXVIII.NW published 1909

⁵ Whitsome, NT864,505, Allanton, NT866,541 and Chirnside, NT869,565

⁶ Foulden West Mains NT9098,5582, also West Foulden or West Foulden Farm [Canmore ID 128362]

⁷ Annie Millard Craw nee Grant (1886-1953)

⁸ Dorothy Muir née Armitage (1873-1943), of Cheshire

⁹ Francis ‘Frank’ Muir (1877-1972), electrical engineer and Dr Muir’s nephew

¹⁰ James Hewat Craw (1880-1933), farmer, Proprietor Occupier of a farm and house at West Foulden, Berwickshire [1921 Valuation Roll]; the son of Henry Craw, farmer, and Alison Goodwillie Craw née Hogue, he was born West Mains, Foulden, married 3 Dec 1875, St Giles, Newington, Edinburgh, to Annie Millard Grant (1886-1953) [1914, 685/4 1033] and died aged 53, at Laggan Ulva [Mull], Argyll, usual residence, 5 Merchiston Gardens, Edinburgh

¹¹ Robert Michael ‘R M’ Ballantyne (1825-1894), Scottish author and artist

¹² Jane Grant is not identified

¹³ Diana Marianne Muir, later Greener (1910-) and Margaret Helen Muir (1913-), daughters of Francis ‘Frank’ Muir and Dorothy Muir née Armitage (1873-1943); Admirers of Mary Queen of Scots may appreciate the fact that a family newsletter of 1935 stated that “Margaret Muir is on a Dairy Farm at Fotheringhay, where her principal job is cheese-making.”

¹⁴ The dessert pear Pyrus communis ‘Jargonelle’

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Strong S.W. gale but without rain: glass rising: pretty cold. Gathered a lot of apples. Saw a few town cases + cycled to Sunderland Hall Lodge¹ + garden. Went to evening service. Feeling rather seedy + dyspeptic. I am not getting nearly as much cycling as David² monopolises the County work. + I the sedentary life is telling on me.

¹ Sunderland Hall had more than one lodge so Dr Muir’s destination is unclear

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Brilliant morning: colder. Some heavy sho Heavy shower at 4 a.m. + several after 4 p.m. Saw some town cases + I was at Viewfield from 11 to 2.20. Dav.¹ clamped Neil Hogg’s² humerus which took a long time + removed a fibroid polypus from Fanny Boyle³ + then Tonsils + ad[enoids]. from child McKearney⁴. I sent a boy of And. Rodger⁵ to Hosp. with Diph. + a woman Wightman⁶ was sent by Hiddleston⁷.

The Scots Greys passed through the town today on their way to Stobs

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

² Neil Macdonald Hogg (1890-), was aged 19 and with his family at Deuchar Mill, Yarrow, 1911 Census

³ Fanny Boyle, aged 28 and born Ireland, was living at Yarrow Terrace, Selkirk and working as a woollen darner for a tweed manufacturer, 1911 Census

⁴ The child McKearney is not identified

⁵ Andrew Rodger, woollen millworke, and his wife Mary Rodger nee Dobson had boy children John Dobson Rodger (1911-), Andrew Rodger (1914-) and Frank Dobson Rodger (1916-); the parents had married November 1903 at Selkirk

⁶ Conceivably Bella Wightman who was at Thirlestane, Ettrick, aged 18, 1911 Census or an (unidentified) wife of Allan Wightman, insurance collector, who was at Halliday’s Park, Selkirk, 1921 Valuation Roll

⁷ John Murray Hiddleston (1891-1954), L.R.C.P.S., L.R.F.P.S., medical practitioner

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Christina Robertson Rodger (about 1846-1924) was the daughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official, and Jane Henderson (about 1806-1869). Christina married 1874, Selkirk, David Patrick, solicitor, of West Croft, Hamilton and they had issue as noted below. The children’ identities are clear, though research for Dr Muir’s diary has been made difficult by the parents’ occasional changes to names – Constance in the birth registration is recorded as Christina by the 1891 Census, the same given name as her younger sister Christina R R Patrick who appears in the same census, and their sister Andrina Edith Patrick was called Alexandria in the same Census

Patrick ‘Rodger’ Patrick (1875-1932), born 21 December 1875 at Woodcroft, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, a solicitor, died 14 February 1932 at Garnicklea, Auchengramont Road, Hamilton, aet 56; married to Hilda Gertrude Wheatley (about 1882-1964)

Jane Henderson Marshall Patrick (1877-1886), born 16 March 1877 at Woodcroft, Hamilton, died 30 July 1886 at Woodview, Hamilton aet 9, of peritonitis

John Herbert Patrick (1878-1878), born 6 June 1878 at Woodview, Burnbank Road, Hamilton, died aged 0 of Scarlatina

Helen Muriel Patrick (1880-1919), born 30 January 1881, died 18 November 1919 at Woodbury, Union Street, Hamilton, aged 39, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for Wednesday 19 November “Got wire [telegram] from Hamilton that Helen Patrick died last night. Wrote all the girls to tell them + also Tina.”

Elizabeth Maud Patrick (1881-1945), born 30 Jan 1881 at Woodview, Burnbank Road, Hamilton, died 17 June 1945, aet 64, buried Bent Cemetery, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire

Constance Mary Patrick ‘Connie’ (1882-1968), born 4 June 1882 at Woodview, Burnbank Road, Hamilton, died 21 April 1968, at 8 Chalmers Crescent, Newington, Edinburgh, aged 85, of “Independent Means”; referred to as Christina in 1891 Census

Andrina Edith ‘Alexandria’ Patrick (1883-1957), born 16 June 1883, at Woodview, Burnbank Road, Hamilton, died 29 October 1957 [Cheltenham 7b 398]; referred to as Alexandria in 1891 Census

David ‘Balfour’ Patrick (1884-1916), born 29 December 1884 at Woodview, Burnbank Road, Hamilton, a solicitor, a partner of Messrs. Moncrieff, Warren, Paterson & Co., Glasgow and seemingly referred to as Balfour in Dr Muir’s diary of Tuesday 22 September 1914, died 18 July 1916, aged 32, Highland Light Infantry, 11th Battalion attd. 28th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), commemorated France, Somme, Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15 C.

Alfred George Patrick (1888-1907), born 20 March 1888 at Woodview, Burnbank Road, Hamilton, lost at sea, July 1907 en route from Newcastle, New South Wales to Iquique, Chile on board Silberhorn, No. 87953, an iron four-masted barque of 1023 gross tons, classed 100 A1 at Lloyd’s Register, built at Port Glasgow in 1884 by Messrs Russell and Co., and is owned by Messrs. C E De Wolf and Co., Captain J B Warren [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45842544] “Left Newcastle, NSW, for Iquique with a cargo of coal. A burning wreck, which was later believed to have been the Silberhorn, was observed at the Juan Fernandez Islands by the German barque Anny.” [http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Fourmast_ships/Silberhorn(1884).html]; there is a fine picture here four-masted iron barque Silberhorn, the Registry of this ship was closed in 1908 [https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10188815]

Christina Robertson Rodger ‘Christy’ or ‘Chrissie’ (1889-1960), born 2 October 1889 at Woodview, Burnbank Road, Hamilton, was at Cheltenham, 1939, died 1960 at Glasgow

Rose at 5 + breakfasted at 6 intending to have a cycle run probably to Carnwath + Colinton but it was such a dense [illegible word] fog that I gave it up. The sun came out about noon + it was a fine warm afternoon but very hazy: cycled to Sund. Hall Lodge + via Boleside to Gattonside Bridge + Faldonside where I vaccinated Moncaster’s baby¹ + saw the cook. Went to meeting of the General War Memorial Committee re the inscription². It appeared there had been meetings of the Special Committee of which I had got no notice. The chief discussion was on the question of having the words “To the glory of God” + it was carried by 15 to 12 that they be retained³.

¹ Doris Moncaster (1921-1990) had been born 24 June 1921, at Faldonside, Galashiels, the daughter of John Norman Moncaster, chauffeur (domestic), and Frances Martha Moncaster née Batty

² The location, commissioning and design of Selkirk War Memorial, Ettrick Terrace had been in discussion for a while (the decision to commission Sir Robert Lorimer had been made at a meeting on 29 July 1919 – see Dr Muir’s diary) and the memorial was unveiled in 1922

³ Selkirk War Memorial does indeed start with “To The Glory Of God” and continues “& In Honoured Memory Of The Men Of The Burgh & Parish Of Selkirk Who Fell In The Great War” [Selkirk, Ettrick Terrace, War Memorial, Canmore ID 100370, grid reference NGR NT46917,28538 Permalink]

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

A most charming day. Heavy dew in the morning: hazy, warm. Only one message to Bryson, Rosemount¹. The little boy John Scott², grandson of Mrs Scott³, Backrow (Bell Scott⁴ the late dressmaker’s sister in law) died after an uraemia fit at the Hospital. Cycled there + made another 11 town calls + cycled to Fauldshope for David⁵ to see a child of Duguid’s⁶ that had been scalded. Had a preses meeting at Viewfield re [? necessitous] cases. Very harmonious, about 25 present. Committee formed viz. Mrs Ogilvie⁷, Mrs Mack⁸, [N or W] Park⁹, R Stark¹⁰, Gibson¹¹ + Midgehope¹², Miss Scott Anderson¹³ + Nancy¹⁴ dined with me.

¹ Rosemount is at Hillside Terrace but it is not named as such on the 1921 Valuation Roll, though William Bryson, wool sorter, was around the corner at Springbank, Tait’s Hill

² John Scott, aged 3, died 8 September 1921 at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Selkirk, usual residence 82 Coplaw Street, Govanhill, Glasgow, of “Diphtheria 10 days Uraemic Convulsion”; born 24 December 1917 (registered 11 January 1918) at Coplaw Street, Glasgow, he was the son of Robert Scott (1886-), mercantile clerk, and Emily Jane Scott née Cameron, married 29 July 1910 at Keir Street, Pollockshields, Glasgow

³ Margaret Scott née Leithead (about 1847-), was the mother of Robert Scott (footnote 2 above) and Tenant Occupier of a house at 24 Back Row, Selkirk [1921, VR007900012-]; she was the widow of Alexander Scott (about 1844-1907), joiner

⁴ It has not yet been possible to identify Bell Scott

⁵ Francis ‘Frank’ Duguid, ploughman, was Inhabitant Occupier of a house at Fauldshope, Kirkhope; he was married to Helen Graham and they had five children by 1921 – Annie (d.1915), Jeanie, Annie, Jessie and James [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/319, Selkirk County, page 319 of 611 and Statutory BMDs]

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

⁷ Conceivably Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Ogilvie née Scott Anderson (1879-1965), daughter of Thomas ‘T’ Scott Anderson of Ettrick Shaws and wife of W H Ogilvie

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

⁹ Park is not identified

¹⁰ Assume Robert Stark, coal merchant at Selkirk and Galashiels

¹¹ Gibson is not identified but may be George Darling Gibson, manufacturer, who stayed in Galashiels but owned rental properties in Selkirk

¹² Midgehope (Ettrick) could be a reference to a number of people

¹³ Assume Joan Scott Anderson née Shaw (about 1857-1936), widow of T Scott Anderson of Ettrick Shaws and daughter of Thomas Shaw, Wooriwyrite, Australia and Catherine Shaw née McLaughlin; the mother of Katherine Margaret Scott Anderson later Ogilvie (see footnote 7)

¹⁴ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Still fine very pleasant almost constant sunshine. My Dyspepsia gone again. Another more serious + more insidious enemy attacked me – saw a dozen cases. Tom Alexander¹ called + had lunch. He proposes coming for a week on the 19th. Attended Annual meeting of Hospital Committee + read report in which I urged the necessity of some arrangement for quarantine. Dora² went for a motor run with the Durnfords³ + Mrs Mack⁴ to Rodono + Ettrick. Barbara⁵ called to say goodbye. She leaves for London en route for Paris tomorrow.

¹ Tom Alexander is not identified

² Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

³ Agnes Watson Durnford née Harper (1888-1976), Mrs Mackintosh’s daughter, and her husband Norman Stanley M Durnford (1889-1965), army officer and businessman, and perhaps their baby son Stanley John Harper Durnford (1920-1995)

⁴ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁵ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Same weather: dust at Hillside¹. Walked to Rectory where I found McCall² packing his belongings into 2 vans of Wylie & Lochhead³ to go by road to Glasgow. Boylan⁴ was watching also. Said Goodbye to McCall who is leaving tomorrow. Then to Hospital⁵. Finished my report annual Hosp. report + the mileages for David⁶. Dora⁷ spent the afternoon at Lauristons [sic]⁸ + came up to the Picture Ho. after. I went there with Nancy, Barbara, Tim⁹, Molly¹⁰, Joan Robertson¹¹ + Kathleen¹² + stood them to shilling seats.

¹ Hillside Terrace, Selkirk

² The Reverend, later Canon, James George McCall (1866-1954), sometime rector of St John’s Episcopal Church, Selkirk, had a prolonged departure in 1921

³ Wylie & Lochhead Ltd, cabinet makers, upholsterers and funeral directors, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Scotland, see image below

⁴ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, acquaintance of Dr Muir, sometime of Shawmount and Shawpark, Selkirk

⁵ As is sometimes the case it is not clear whether Dr Muir is referring to Mauldsheugh, Viewfield or the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Buxton, just east of Ashburn and Buxton Cottage at the north end of the Selkirk Hills

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

⁷ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁸ Lauriston, Philiphaugh, Selkirk, was home of Katie Smith née Locke (about 1854-1934), widow of Thomas Smith, tweed manufacturer, and some of her (adult) children

⁹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter and wife of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior, and two of her children Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005)

¹⁰ Molly is not identified

¹¹ Joan Robertson is not identified

¹² Kathleen is not identified

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Fair dry sunny day. S.W. breeze. Very little doing. Dav.¹ away all day. Saw 7 cases (including Hospital + Sunderland Hall Lodge) cycling + at 12 got message from Mauldsheugh² to see a boy Carrick, Midlemburn³ who had got his foot cut in a mowing machine. I hurried over + found it a very trifling cut on ant. malleolus⁴. Wrote at my annual Hospital report. Before dinner cycled to Hosp. to see a child Smith⁵ whom Matron thought ill + called for Lizzie Goodfellow⁶. I thought of cycling to Foulden tomorrow.

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

² Mauldsheugh, Selkirk was Dr Graham’s home and the medical partnership’s surgery

³ Gavin Dryden was the proprietor occupier at Midlemburn, Bowden but one Thomas Carrick was inhabitant occupier at Newhall, also Bowden; they are too far apart to be confused but it is certainly possible that a person from one was helping with mowing (harvesting) at the other

⁴ The malleolus refers either to the lateral or medial bumps on the sides of the ankle

⁵ The child Smith is unidentified

⁶ Lizzie Goodfellow is probably Elizabeth Goodfellow (1857-1935), at Dovecot Cottages, Selkirk [1911 Census] and later at Chapel Street [1925 census]; she appears to have died at the Lunatic Asylum at Melrose in 1935

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]