Hannah Jane (Grannie) Watts

Hannah Jane Watts, fondly referred to as “Grannie Watts,” was a beloved and respected figure in the Melton Community.  Hannah was born in Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland on Dec. 23, 1831. In 1854, Hannah and her husband George Byrns set sail for Australia. During the three-month voyage, Hannah is thought to have assisted the ship’s surgeon and acquired invaluable midwifery and nursing skills. After arriving in Geelong, the couple settled in the Melton district in 1858, where they rented a small dairy farm and built a modest wattle and daub hut.^[2] 

“… while, in the absence of medical aid, residents looked to ‘Grannie’ as their doctor, philosopher and friend… A woman of great energy and determination, combined with superior intelligence, ‘Grannie’ conquered difficulties that would make many falter…”

Tragedy struck when Hannah was in her late 20s.  Hannah was widowed with three very small children and another on the way when George died after a horse threw him against the wall of the Melton Hotel.  Yet, Hannah’s resilience shone through. She not only continued to run the dairy farm  and continued her role of the community’s unofficial midwife. 

In 1863, as the result of her hard work, Hannah achieved something extraordinary for a woman of her time: she purchased several blocks of land in Melton in her own name.  Later that year Hannah remarried and farmed new land at Toolern Vale with her husband William Watts, and built a home ‘Rosebank’. 

William died suddenly in 1874, leaving Hannah as the sole parent of their two young children.  Once again, she faced adversity but successfully continued to run both the dairy farm and her midwifery practice. Hannah took charge of the land grants that William had initiated, successfully settling the incomplete ones. She later pursued additional grants in her own name, expanding her land ownership from three to nine allotments. 

 In 1887, Hannah transitioned from farming to fully dedicating herself to midwifery, traveling across the district to attend births. In 1894, she returned to Melton and built a new home, ‘Lynch Cottage,’ which became the districts first private hospital around 1911. 

 Following the introduction of the Midwives Act 1915 in Victoria, Hannah was officially registered as a midwife in 1917. As Melton’s only nurse and midwife for many years, she attended an impressive 442 births between 1886 and 1921, as documented in ‘Grannie’s Book.’ However, this figure does not capture the full scope of her midwifery practice, reflecting only those births that were recorded3. 

Hannah continued to work as a midwife until a few months before her passing at the age of 89. She was deeply mourned throughout the district  and her legacy continues to be cherished by the Melton community to this day. 

Acknowledgement

This Biography has been written by Her Place Women’s Museum in collaboration with Rebecca Hart, Midwife, Historian and Great Great Granddaughter of Hannah Jane ‘ Grannie’ Watts

Commemoration 

Hannah Watts Park Melton commemorates Mrs. Hannah (“Grannie”) Watts.  The park was officially dedicated by the Shire President Cr Therese Samson October 27th, 1985.  A plaque on the site reads “ In memory of Mrs. Hannah (“Grannie”) Watts` selflessness and  service to the early Melton community.” 

Grave Site ” Hannah Jane “Grannie” Lynch Watts Burns” 

There is also a monument or marker on her grave, erected with the support of Melton City Council in 2015. 

“In honour of Hannah Jane ‘Grannie’ Watts — Hannah emigrated from Ireland in 1854 and settled in this district in 1858. We acknowledge with gratitude her contribution as a midwife and nurse to the pioneering families of Melton.

— Proudly supported by Melton City Council. 

In 2015, the family restored Hannah’s grave, which had severe subsidence, and her head stone had cracked and fallen. The two headstones were re-laid, the grave covered, the wrought iron fence was repaired and painted, and the Council erected the monumental plaque.  Hannah is buried here with her sister, both her husbands, and one of her sons (and most of the family around her!).