Dr William BLAIR, Abbey Green, Jedburgh

[Sunlaws]

Hi Sue
For such a kenspeckle and longstanding local figure he's a bit elusive! The notice in the Scotsman deaths column just says "At Abbey Green, Jedburgh on 23rd November (1929) William Blair M.D. in his 92nd year. Funeral private. (No flowers by request)' So no clues there. There is also a longer tribute in the Scotsman which I can PM you if you don't have it, but again, no clue about burial place. Castlewood cemetery in Jedburgh had been opened in 1857, and is perhaps the likeliest place. I think Jedburgh MIs are in the pipeline to be published by Borders FHS, but nothing on their website as yet. A search for his name on Hubcat gives only one instance, that William Blair M.D. registered a motor car in 1904. http://bit.ly/2tHZYUv  (Quite a pioneer, then!)
William Blair is not among the list of five medical practitioners in Jedburgh in the Southern Counties Register of 1866.
Regards,
Lesley

[sparrett]

Thank you Lesley.
I had seen the abbreviated death notice-

 "At Abbey Green, Jedburgh on 23rd November (1929) William Blair M.D. in his 92nd year. Funeral private. (No flowers by request)''

But I had not seen the other item you have found.

I would greatly appreciate it by PM if possible.

The motor car registration is a good find for us.
It has long been a family story that William BLAIR had the first motor car in a certain part of Scotland (where exactly never quite  defined clearly )

There are a couple of other mentions in papers about his enthusiasm for motoring, including a motor hill climbing event.

The Castlewood Cemetery is a good possibility.
Thanks,
Sue

[MonicaL]

Sue, checking the 1925 VRs on SP shows a number of entries for William Blair, proprietor and occupier, house and garden and stable, Abbey Green.

Also showing is the following entries at Abbey Green:

A Dr Walter Armstrong Elliot, tenant and occupier, house and garden, Abbey Green.

A John and Mrs Caroline Hamilton, proprietor and occupiers, Greenhouses, Abbey Green.

A Dr Charles S Nimmo, tenant and occupier, house and garden, Abbey Green.

Almost like a cottage hospital going on there....!

A brief description from the OS 1858 http://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/roxburghshire-os-name-books-1858-1860/roxburghshire-volume-20/81

Monica 

[MonicaL]

Not sure if you have this. From the 1891 medical register, William Blair's entry shows his as domiciled at Abbey Green. First registered as a doctor 4 May 1863. He looks to have graduated in medicine from Glasgow University that year.

www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/biography/?id=WH8609&type=P

Monica

[MonicaL]

Apart from his love of all things motor, he also seems to have been an avid photographer www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2452353/pdf/brmedj07679-0036c.pdf

Monica

PS: Apologies if you have all of this already.

[sparrett]

Monica,
The information you have given is absolute gold.
Thank you very much indeed.
These items will be treasured by his descendants here in Australia.
His G G G G grandson has just turned 6years

I appreciate your time and kindness.

Sue

[terianne]

Other than the part abbey graveyard that still exists the many cemetery in Jedburgh is at the top of the Castlegate behind the castle jail - think it starts 1840's to the present day - Borders FHS have documented the MI's but still not published

The Abbey graveyard was being used in last century - a few family plots - not sure if any main

[Sunlaws]

Hi Sue
I have PM'd you the Scotsman obituary, and will try to get a copy of the entry in the Motor Car Register next time at the Hub.
Regards,
Lesley

[sparrett]

Thanks very much Lesley.
Every little extra bit is valued
Sue