BIBLIOASIA JAN – MAR 2017 Vol. 12 / Issue 04 / Feature

Sue-Ann Chia is a seventh-generation descendant of Tock Seng. She is a journalist with over 15 years of experience at The Straits Times and Today newspapers. She is presently Director at The Nutgraf, a boutique writing and communications consultancy.

In 1989, a large and elaborate grave on the grassy slopes of Outram Hill was “discov- ered” by Geraldine Lowe, a well-known iSingaporean tour guide. Overgrown with a tangle of weeds and covered in dirt, the decrepit tomb appeared abandoned. This was the resting place of Tan Tock (Facing page) Portrait of , c.1840. Margaret Tan Collection, courtesy of National Archives of . Seng, who bears the distinction of having (Above) The first Tan Tock Seng Hospital, then called "The Chinese Pauper Hospital", was built on Pearl’s Hill in 1846. This 1848 watercolour painting by one of Singapore’s largest hospitals named John Turnbull Thomson shows its location between the Surgery and the Seamen’s Hospital on Pearl’s Hill. All rights reserved. Liu, G. (1999). Singapore: after him. Unfortunately, that is the only A Pictorial History, 1819-2000. Singapore: Archipelago Press and National Heritage Board. detail that most people know about the (Above right) This tablet was erected by the Committee of Management in 1854 to acknowledge the donations by Tan Tock Seng and his son, ,­ noted philanthropist – a forgotten pioneer, towards the building of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The tablet was installed on the hospital gate at Pearl’s Hill. All rights reserved, Lee, S.H. (1994). 150 Years of Caring: The Legacy of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Singapore: Tan Tock Seng Hospital. much like his grave. Lowe, who stumbled upon the grave during a heritage hunt, said in an interview, sailed south to Singapore in search of the “with no worldly goods, his only capital letters, penned in cursive English to the Brit- “It’s a shame that nobody is taking care of proverbial fame and fortune. He arrived in being industry and economy”, reported ish Governor, were always signed in Chinese the tomb. It is on an almost inaccesible 1819, shortly after Stamford Raffles had The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile and accompanied by his Chinese . It is slope in . Something should established a British trading outpost on the Advertiser newspaper in March 1850.8 very likely that he employed a secretary to be done about it.”1 swamp-filled island.5 But good fortune favoured the enter- write his letters in English.11 Since the rediscovery of the grave, Tan was one of the earliest immi- prising and those who were willing to work As Tan grew in stature and influ- Tan’s descendants have been tending to grants in Singapore, and in a matter of a hard in the fledgling port city that was ence, he was asked to help settle disputes his tomb and a major sprucing up of the few years rose to become one of the most teeming with opportunities. Soon after his between Chinese migrants. This earned site was carried out in 2009, according to a wealthy residents and a pioneer com- arrival, Tan set up a roadside stall selling him the title of “Captain of the Chinese”, and heritage report on Tiong Bahru.2 munity leader of the Chinese population. vegetables, fruits and poultry, bringing he became the first Asian to be appointed The pioneer’s great-great-grandson But his story is quite unlike those of his produce from the countryside to the city. Justice of the Peace by then Governor Wil- Roney Tan dismissed claims that his forefa- successful contemporaries. Within a matter of eight years, by 1827, he liam John Butterworth.12 ther’s grave was ever neglected. “Tan Tock In her book, A History of Singapore had saved up enough to open up a shop at According to The Singapore Free Seng’s grave was never lost,” the company 1819–1988, historian Constance Mary Boat Quay, where the Chinese community Press and Mercantile Advertiser in March director said in an interview in 2013. “The Turnbull wrote: “Most of the influential early originally settled. Tan’s big break came when 1850: “Much of his time was engrossed in truth is, my family and I always knew where settlers were already prosperous when he met J.H. Whitehead, a partner in the Brit- acting as arbitrator in disputes between his it was. Growing up, my dad used to bring they arrived [in Singapore] and did not fit ish trading firm of Shaw, Whitehead & Co. countrymen, and many a case which would me to the gravesite at Outram Hill once or the popular rags-to-riches success stories Through a combination of sheer luck and otherwise have afforded a rich harvest to twice a year.” He explained, “It was simply of penniless youths rising by hard work an astute joint venture in land speculation, the lawyers, was through his intervention not possible to adequately maintain a grave and acument to wealth and eminence. The Tan became a very wealthy businessman and mediation nipped in the bud.”13 From Pauper to 6 9 just once a year, adding “Which is why I Hokkien Tan Tock Seng was an exception.” and landowner. called a meeting of the family some years It is not known what Tan’s father did Tan’s impressive land bank included Locking Horns with the British back and said, “Let’s maintain it regularly, for a living in . Even though most 50 acres of prime space where the railway not just at Qing Ming. So now, there is a fund were wealthy, Tan’s family was station at Tanjong Pagar was located as The year was 1844. Singapore “was a Philanthropist to maintain the gravesite.”3 said to be “not rich”. “Tan Tock Seng must well as swathes of land stretching from merchant’s delight” with “huge profits to Tan Tock Seng, who had six children – have been a poor youth, doing perhaps the Padang all the way to High Street and be made in commercial ventures”, “but three sons and three daughters – with wife odd jobs or even selling fruit, vegetables Tank Road. He also owned a row of shop- the streets of the island also reeked with The Tan Tock Seng Story Lee Seo Neo, has a remarkable genealogy and poultry in the market in Malacca to houses at Ellenborough Building. Together diseased and suffering people”, according that spans over eight generations with more help augment his father’s income to sup- with his brother Oo Long, Tan also owned to the New Nation in September 1974. than 2,500 descendents scattered across port the family. His mother would not have a nutmeg plantation and an orchard. The This prompted a sharply worded the globe.4 undertaken any employment as most nonyas 14-acre fruit plantation was located oppo- editorial by Wiliam Napier, editor of The [Straits Chinese ladies] were housewives,” site the old St Andrew’s Mission Hospital Singapore Free Press: “A number of dis- 10 Sue-Ann Chia traces the classic rags-to-riches story From Vegetable Seller to Philanthropist wrote author Dhoraisingham S. Samuel in in Tanjong Pagar. eased Chinese, lepers and others frequent of a vegetable seller turned land speculator who left a biography of Tan.7 Tan’s great-grandson Tan Hoon Siang, almost every street in town, presenting a Tan Tock Seng was born in Malacca in Tan’s elder brother Oo Long eventu- a rubber tycoon, said his ancestor could spectacle which is rarely to be met with a hospital named after him in Singapore. 1798, the third son of an immigrant father ally joined him in Singapore. The fate of his speak English – which made it easier for him even in towns with a pagan government, from province in and a local two other brothers remain unknown; all we to hobnob with the elite British community and which is truly disgraceful in a civilised Peranakan (Straits-born Chinese) mother. know is that one of them went to China. What and expand his business contacts, but it is and Christian country, especially under the When he was 21, Tan boarded a ship that is certain is that Tan arrived in Singapore not known if he could write in English. Tan’s government of Englishmen.”14

16 17 BIBLIOASIA JAN – MAR 2017 Vol. 12 / Issue 04 / Feature

Something had to be done and soon. a sum of 2,000 Spanish dollars – the cur- Tan’s tenacity in building this hospital Tan Kim Cheng). The latter followed in his Consul-General. He was the Hokkien Huay In May 2016, news of the sale of a bun- For several years, demands had been made rency of the time – when he died in January not just for the Chinese, but for all races, father’s philanthropic footsteps and has Kuan’s first chairman and donated gener- galow at 9 Cuscaden Road, home of the late on the British to devote more resources to 1844. To make the hospital a reality, Tan was clear. Nothing was going to stop him, a road named after him in Tiong Bahru.26 ously to improve health and education in Tan Hoon Siang, made the headlines – an help the sick and destitute in Singapore, but topped it up with another 5,000 Spanish not even the government. This younger Tan, who took over his Singapore. , the first rubber indication perhaps that not all the wealth had it was largely ignored.15 Finally, in 1834, the dollars from his own pocket.18 On 25 May 1844, the foundation stone father’s business and expanded it to include planter in Malaya, also funded the construc- been fritttered away. The house and its 25,741 government relented and imposed a tax on This initiative, however, likely embar- for the hospital, then called “The Chinese rice mills in Saigon () tions of schools and medical facilities.31 sq-ft plot of land was sold for a whopping the sale of pork, using the proceeds to build rassed the British government in Bengal, Pauper Hospital”, was laid at its original and Siam (), was instrumental in Tan Chay Yan’s son, Tan Hoon Siang, $145 million in May – one of the highest ever a Chinese Poor House. However, when the India.19 They accused the Chinese community location at Pearl’s Hill. Tan was the founder expanding and moving “Tocksing’s Hospital” who took over his father’s business, con- paid for a private property in Singapore.35 British later needed more space to house of having an agenda, going so far as to sug- and financier of the hospital, affectionately to Balestier Plain in 1860. The hospital, bear- tributed to charity as well as to botany by Great-grandson Tan Hoon Siang, the rising convict population, it decided to gest that a new tax be levied to construct nicknamed “Tocksing’s Hospital”. Although ing his father’s name, eventually shifted to producing a new hybrid orchid.32 Hoon who headed several rubber companies in convert the poor house into a jail.16 the hospital instead of graciously accepting the building was completed in 1846, it only its current site on Moulmein Road in 1909.27 Siang’s cousin, Tan Boo Liat, a strong sup- , was also a chairman and director Meanwhile, attracted by the oppor- the donation.20 operated as a hospital from 1849 onwards Apart from financing and building the porter of Chinese revolutionary leader Sun of Bukit Sembawang Estates until his death tunities in Singapore, Chinese immigrants In response, Tan rallied a group of as the government used it as a temporary hospital, Tan Tock Seng was also a found- Yat Sen and president of the Singapore in May 1991. He was a keen botanist, and a began to arrive in large numbers, turning the prominent residents, including Europeans, convict jail in the intervening years.23 ing leader of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuomintang, initiated the setting up of the misthouse at the Singapore Botanic Gardens island, especially the Chinatown enclave, into who sent a petition to the government, out- Kuan clan association, which was set up Singapore Chinese Girls' School. Both Kim was named after him.36 a cesspool of diseases, including malaria, lining the sentiments of the community. The Lineage and Legacy in 1840 and still exists today. It provided Ching and Boo Liat are buried at the Bukit With this sale – the house will be cholera, smallpox, leprosy and tubercolosis. petition raised several key points. assistance in securing accommodations, Brown Cemetery.33 demolished and the land zoned for hotel George Francis Train, an American visiting First, the Chinese community was A year later, on 26 February 1850, Tan died jobs and burial services for early Chinese Beyond these few famous names, little redevelopment – commercialisation seems Singapore in the mid-19th century, described anxious to build this “Pauper Hospital”, of an unknown disease. He was only 52. immigrants to Singapore.28 else is known about Tan Tock Seng’s lineage. to have swallowed the humanitarian spirit the desperate situation of the new migrants: not to please their European masters but His fortune was rumoured to be a princely Around the same time, Tan also con- At a ceremony to launch the commemora- of Tan Tock Seng. The only visible sign of his “Captain Hays says the examination to ease the suffering of their clansmen. sum of 500,000 Spanish dollars, which was tributed funds towards the building of Thian tive book of Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s 150th altruism is the hospital bearing his name. of passengers on board the junks that Second, while it was “absolutely necessary” shared between his widow, three sons and Hock Keng Temple at . anniversary in 1994, some of his descend- Like many other philathropists of his take them off to the ship is too revolting to build this hospital, there was no need for three daughters.24 Singapore's oldest Hokkien temple, the ants were present. time, Tan and his peers gave generously to for description. All men over 35 years, or the British to profit from its construction by The 19 March 1850 edition of The centre of worship for the Hokkien commu- Great-great-grandson John Tan causes that would benefit society through who, after they have been stripped stark the imposition of taxes. Third, the govern- Straits Times reported that “his remains nity, was gazetted as a national monument (grandson of Tan Chay Yan), who runs several education and healthcare. But unlike other naked, show the least sign of disease upon ment should ensure that there is no further were removed to the place of burial, with on 28 June 1973.29 family companies, told The Straits Times: pioneers who had roads named after them, their persons are rejected, and these poor importation of sick and destitute people into much pomp and pageantry, followed by a Tan’s illustrious descendents, such “The first thing people ask when they find Tan was special in that he was the only one creatures brought a long way from the the colony. And, finally, the government large concourse of mourners and spec- as the aforementioned son Tan Kim Ching, out that you are a descendant of Tan Tock to leave behind a hospital named after him – interior of China by ‘crimps’ of their own should “afford their countenance and sup- tators, including many of the European grandson Tan Chay Yan (who also has a Seng is, ‘Oh, he must have left you billions ensuring that his legacy will be remembered nation – who get $10 for bringing down port” the cause.21 community, who enjoyed his friendship road named after him in Tiong Bahru) of dollars, where is it?’”34 not only by his descendants but also by future all of what they term healthy cattle – are In his book, An Anecdotal History of while alive and paid the last tribute of and great-grandsons Tan Boo Liat and “That's not true. Over the years, the generations of Singaporeans. turned ashore to perish of starvation or Old Times in Singapore (1902), Charles Bur- respect by following his remains to the Tan Hoon Siang, carried on his legacy as descendants mismanaged and squandered Unfortunately, it is a heritage that is die a lingering death by exposure.”17 ton Buckley commented: “The Government place of interment".25 prominent merchants and philanthropists the wealth, the war took its toll, and so by becoming increasingly brittle. Given Singa- As health conditions deteriorated had been slow to recognise the necessity There was no mention of where Tan in the community. the time it came to our generation, we had pore’s penchant for acronyms – most people on the island, the saving hand came from of providing a hospital and… it was… left was originally buried, but his grave was Tan Kim Ching was made the first to make it on our own.” Beyond what has know Tan Tock Seng Hospital today as TTSH the Chinese community. A kind-hearted to generous-minded individuals to do what eventually moved to the current site on Siamese Consul in Singapore by King been recorded publicly, “very little by way − one fears that future generations could merchant by the name of Cham Chan Sang they could to alleviate the necessities of Outram Hill, a plot of land bought by his in 1863, and later in 1885, King of documentation or material belongings become even less familiar with the forgotten started a fund for a hospital by bequeathing the sick poor.”22 eldest son Tan Kim Ching (sometimes spelt elevated his title to that of has passed down the family”, he added. pioneer and his legacy to Singapore’s history.

11 Dhoraisingham & Samuel, 2003, p. 23. 25 Untited. (1850, March 19). The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved Decorations made by patients were used to brighten up the wards at Tan Tock Seng Hospital during the Christmas of 1949. All rights reserved, Lee, S.H. (1994). Notes 12 National Library Board, 2008; Tan Tock Seng and from NewspaperSG. 150 Years of Caring: The Legacy of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Singapore: Tan Tock Seng Hospital. 1 Quek, F. (1989, January 28). Photo display to honour the war on diseases. (1974, September 26). New 26 Dhoraisingham & Samuel, 2003, pp. 52,79. Singapore pioneers. The Straits Times, p.15. Retrieved Nation, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 27 Dhoraisingham & Samuel, 2003, pp. 55–59. from NewspaperSG. 13 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile 28 Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan. (2015). History. 2 Graves of Tan Tock Seng, Chua Seah Neo & Wuing Advertiser (1835–1869), 1 Mar 1850, p. 1. Retrieved from Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan website. Neo. (2013). Our Heritage: Tiong Bahru, (pp.18–19). 14 New Nation, 26 Sep 1974, p. 7; Straits Times special 29 National Library Board. (2010). Retrieved from National Heritage Board website. feature: Towky forced hand of govt. to build hospital. written by Tan, Bonny. Retrieved from Singapore 3 Sivanathan, N. (2013, September/October). Lessons (1961, December 7). The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved Infopedia. of a forefather. Lifewise, (47), p. 23. Retrieved from from NewspaperSG. 30 Tiong Bahru Estate. (2007, August 28). Tan Kim Ching. National Healthcare Group website. 15 New Nation, 26 Sep 1974, p. 7. Retrieved from Tiong Bahru Estate blog. 4 National Library Board. (2008). Tan Tock Seng written 16 The Straits Times, 7 Dec 1961, p. 9. 31 Cheong, K. (2014, July 28). Tan Tock Seng’s descendants by Tien, Jenny. Retrieved from Singapore Infopedia; 17 The Straits Times, 7 Dec 1961, p. 9; Buckley, celebrate Tiong Bahru link. The Straits Times, p. B3. Sivanathan, Sep/Oct 2013, p. 23. C.B. (1902). An anecdotal history of old times in Retrieved from Tan Tock Seng Hospital website. 5 National Library Board, 2008; Dhoraisingham, K.D., & Singapore (Vol. II) (p. 408). Singapore: Fraser & 32 Dhoraisingham & Samuel, 2003, p. 91; The Orchid Samuel, D.S. (2003). Tan Tock Seng: Pioneer: His life, Neave. Call no.: RRARE 959.57 BUC Society of Southeast Asia. (2014). Our history. Retrieved times, contributions and legacy (p. 9). Kota Kinabalu: 18 New Nation, 26 Sep 1974, p. 7. from The Orchid Society of Southeast Asia website. Natural History Publications (Borneo). Call no.: RSING 19 In 1830, the – comprising 33 Ee, J.W.W. (2009, August 2). Concerted effort to 338.04092 KAM Singapore, Malacca and – was made a keep site in good condition and preserve memory of 6 Turnbull, C.M. (1989). A history of Singapore, 1819– residency of the Presidency of Bengal under the Singapore's pioneer. The Straits Times, p. 14. Retrieved 1988 (2nd ed) (p. 14). Singapore: Oxford University governor-general of India based in Calcutta, India. from NewspaperSG. Press. Call no.: RSING 959.57 TUR-[HIS] 20 New Nation, 26 Sep 1974, p. 7. 34 Loh, S. (1994, September 4). Following in the footsteps 7 Dhoraisingham & Samuel, 2003, p. 4. 21 New Nation, 26 Sep 1974, p. 7. of a giant. The Straits Times. p. 9. Retrieved from 8 The Singapore Free Press. (1850, March 1). The 22 Buckley, 1902, Vol, II, p. 410. NewspaperSG. Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 23 The Straits Times, 5 May 1956, p. 9; Song, O, S. 35 Whang, R. (2016, May 24). HK tycoon buys Cuscaden (1835–1869), p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. (1923). One hundred years’ history of the Chinese in bungalow for $145m. The Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved 9 National Library Board, 2008; When lepers roamed Singapore (pp. 62–63). London: John Murray. Call no.: from Factiva. the streets. (1956, May 5). The Straits Times, p. 9. RCLOS 959.57 SON 36 Koh, J., & Whang, R. (2016, April 5). House of Tan Tock Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 24 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser Seng's kin could fetch $170m. The Straits Times, p. 4. 10 National Library Board, 2008; Dhoraisingham & (1835–1869), 1 Mar 1850, p. 1. Retrieved from Factiva. Samuel, 2003, p. 23.

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