grattan was born with the surname hunt; grattan was a family name she later adopted as a stage name. comedian and manager benjamin webster was a family friend and encouraged her dramatic interests. she married henry courtaine. the couple traveled to california around 1859 and later onto to china and india. she managed a theatre in bombay for two years. after later returning to england, she subsequently came to new york. she also performed in america with lydia thompson's burlesque troupe.