Old Ma Wackette was one of two feline midwives in London during the 17th century. The other was Widow Mogs. Neither had ever met one another, but each had their own territory and they were essentially rivals. The cats of the city were loyal to either one or the other, and each generation would use the midwife the previous had.
Supposedly, Old Ma Wackette was battier than Widow Mogs (who was known for speaking to her dead husband).