Folklore: J.H. Webb and The Nassau Phil. (Bahamas)

Subject: Folklore: J.H. Webb and The Nassau Phil. (Bahamas)
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 03:05 AM

No relation ;)

“Origin: Sloop John B
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Nov 20 - 09:29 AM

Hey Phil! I have a question about something kind of unrelated. There was a man by the name of J. H. Webb. I'm not sure if he was born in The Bahamas, but he lived here a pretty long time, helping develop music during the 19th century. He was also a President and co-founder of the Nassau Philharmonic Society in the 1870s. He put on many concerts, developed classical and Sacred music forms, he also composed many songs. Songs that I am interested in knowing if you have any knowledge of?

I know he copyrighted a song in New York, but I also discovered another of his songs he composed in the Bahamas. The sheet music was found in the Nassau Guardian.”

Subject: RE: Folklore: J.H. Webb and The Nassau Phil. (Bahamas)
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 03:08 AM

Jacob H.(arold?) Webb (? - 1908.) My late father, the family genealogist, took a swing at J.H. many decades ago but, alas, came up with less than you already have. His obituary is in the last '08 issue of the Nassau diocesan quarterly, which I've never been able to get at.

He was married; wife (names?) also a musician. They had at least one child, a daughter, that we know of. Mother Webb died February, 1911, in England.

Rumor has it he was a Long Island Webb but born England and his father (?) came to the islands to switch the British madras experiment school systems over to the “normal school” model. Fairly recent arrivals if true.

I know he lectured on music for ages (Literary Society) and arranged more than one light opera piece for local performance but the only song I knew of was Port Nelson (to follow.) What else is there?

Subject: RE: Folklore: J.H. Webb and The Nassau Phil. (Bahamas)
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 03:10 AM

“Port Nelson
Written and composed by J. H. Webb
I.
This building shows a bounteous hand,
Has showered blessings through the land,
And well becomes your great concern,
That old and young God's truth should learn,
That old and young God's truth should learn,
That old and young God's truth should learn.

II.
Our hearts and voices join to raise,
A hymn of gratitude and praise,
For all the kindnesses received
From friends and patrons in our need.

III.
May we our blessings dearly prize,
And thus from step to step arise
In Wisdom's ways, whose paths are peace,
Contentment, love, and righteousness.

IV.
'Tis thus the Public School will prove
The harbinger of heavenly love,
And down to late posterity
Will stand the glory of Rum Cay*.”
[The Nassau Guardian (NP) 16 Aug 1851, p.3]
[https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00076890/00160/3x]
Music is here.

* FYI Mudcatters - most of the Great Vowel Shift never made it to The Bahamas, ergo “cay” rhymes with “key” – which is how they spell it in Florida... mostly.

Subject: RE: Folklore: J.H. Webb and The Nassau Phil. (Bahamas)
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 07:59 PM

He had at least two daughters. They were also performers in Nassau. They were known as the Webb Sisters in the Guardian articles. https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00076890/00627/2x?search=webb+sisters
https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00076890/00627/3x?search=webb+sisters

Emma and Ada Webb

They were popular play performers and singers.
https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00076890/00637/2x?search=webb+sisters
https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00076890/00634/2x?search=webb+sisters
https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00076890/00632/2x?search=webb+sisters

Thank you, the other songs might be from another man, but they were King Gold, Toll until you prosper and These men have got no feeling.

Subject: RE: Folklore: J.H. Webb and The Nassau Phil. (Bahamas)
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 08:22 PM

I found their pictures, I would have to do more research into who they were. Not sure if they were related or not.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Portrait-Ada-Webb-Emma-Vivid-Imagery-12-Inch-By-18-Laminated-Poster-With-Bright-Colors-And-Imagery-Fits-Perfectly-In-Many-Attractive-Frames/586103226

Subject: RE: Folklore: J.H. Webb and The Nassau Phil. (Bahamas)
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 12:14 AM

What exactly is the nature of the connection between the 'Bahamian' Emma & Ada and Jacob H. Webb?

I can save you some time on the sisters in the Brady Studio images at least: Ada and Emma Webb

“WEBB, SISTERS THE. – Emma was born in New Orleans, La., June 18, 1843. Made her debut in New Orleans, as Julianna in the “Honeymoon.” Ada was born in New Orleans, Sept. 18, 1845. Made her debut in “Grandfather Whitehead,” playing the Child, at Placide's Varieties, New Orleans. Ada soon after joined Marsh Troupe. In 1858 the sisters gave drawing-room entertainments with their mother. Visited California in 1859, and played through the mountain towns and cities. Opened in New York, Jan 9, 1860, at the Old Bowery Theatre, in the comic drama of “Boys and Girls of the Present Day,” Emma appearing as Fanny, and Ada as Kitty. Went to England in 1867, and opened at the Olympic, London, Aug. 14, 1867, in “Fanchon,” altered to “The Grasshopper.” Revisited California in Dec, 1867, and returned to New York in June, 1868. Emma then quite the dramatic profession and turned her attention to lecturing, while Ada continued starring. Ada married in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Aug. 17, 1869 to W.M. Connor, and retired from the stage.”
[Brown's History of the American Stage, 1870, p.383]

Ada Laura Webb Connor

I think the Bahamian appearances might just also be the American duo. Were there any other seasons besides '63?

Subject: RE: Folklore: J.H. Webb and The Nassau Phil. (Bahamas)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 12:24 PM

You are correct. They performed in many places where the confederates were. Nassau at that time had a lot of Confederates residing there, so their appearance in 63 makes sense. Thank you, Phil.

Subject: RE: Folklore: J.H. Webb and The Nassau Phil. (Bahamas)
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 27 Nov 20 - 01:04 PM

Yup, that's both when and why the old Royal Victoria was built in the first place. That's Bay Street for you. Always prepared to organize any mainland crime against humanity... for a nominal fee...

Here's what little I have on the daughter:

“Passengers arrived, from Harbour Island, J.H. Webb, Esq., lady and child,...”
[The Nassau Guardian (NP) 23 May 1841, p.3] (earliest & typical several places.)

“Obituary
It is with much regret that we record the death of Mrs. Jacob Webb which occurred at the residence of her daughter Mrs. Humphries, at All Saints Vicarage, Rotherwithe, [sic] on the 20th February after a short illness. Mrs. Webb spent many years in Nassau with her husband the late Mr. J.H. Webb, Registrar of Records and had a large circle of friends here who will regret to learn of her death.”
[The Nassau Guardian (NP) 1 April 1911, p.2]