Williamstown Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Mrs Fanny Adams, Williamstown Midwife and "Brassey" Nurse, c.1890's
... ...Mrs Morwick...Morwick, the well-known sailmaker and tug owner, and Mrs. Parkin, wife of Mr. ...Fanny Adams Mrs Morwick Williamstown Hospital 1890's Fanny Adams (nee Morwick) was born Fanny Higgs about 29 October 1836 in Surrey England and emigrated to Williamstown. ...
Fanny Adams (nee Morwick) was born Fanny Higgs about 29 October 1836 in Surrey England and emigrated to Williamstown. She married George Morwick, in November 1857 and they had 7 children. Her husband worked as a boatman for the Pilot Service and as Assistant Light Keeper at Gabo Island and Cape Otway. Following George Morwick's death in 1872, she married William Adams in December 1873, and had two more children.
She operated a hay, corn and fruit shop in Thompson Street which her first husband owned, until 1874, and then took it over again in 1883 until 1891. She also worked as a Midwife and Ladies Nurse. Lady Brassey, wife of Victoria's Governor , took first aid lessons from St John Ambulance tutors. In the late 1870-80s, she formed a female first aid corps known as "The Brassey Nurses" and Fanny Adams was a member of the corps.
Fanny Adams died on the 1st August 1928 at the age of 92 years. An article in The Age on the 4 August 1928 reported that "Mrs. Fanny Adams, a resident of Williamstown for 73 years, died in her home there on Thursday at the great age of 92. She was twice married, Mr. Morwick, her first husband, having been lighthouse keeper on Gabo Island and afterwards at Cape Otway. There are 43 descendants, including Mr. G. F. Morwick, the well-known sailmaker and tug owner, and Mrs. Parkin, wife of Mr. Parkin, officer in charge of the Customs department at Williamstown."
fanny adams, mrs morwick, williamstown hospital, 1890's