Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials · S.T.E.M. · Special Feature
Tan Tiang Choon & Family
陳長春 · 鄭成娘 · 爪棉𦛨
A Straits Chinese patriarch, two wives, and a remarkable family rediscovery
✦ The Rediscovery
An amazing story emerged after I informed a descendant about the rediscovery of her great great grandparents — Tan Tiang Choon and Tay Seng Neo. She checked with her aunt, who revealed that her ancestor had married another wife who was Boyanese and was buried below her husband.
I searched my archives and found another tomb — the Boyanese wife's name, which I could not decipher until then, turned out to be Nek Minah, inscribed on the tomb as 爪棉𦛨. She bore him two sons, as recorded on her tomb.
Tan Tiang Choon & Tay Seng Neo
陳長春 · 鄭成娘
Tomb Inscription · 碑文
中曆癸丑弍年岩桂月吉立 1913
民國祖
考諱長春陳公 Tan Tiang Choon
妣謚成娘鄭氏 Tay Seng Neo
佳城
Erected on an auspicious day in the 8th lunar month of the Guichou year, 1913 · Republic of China era
Our late beloved grandfather Tan Tiang Choon (陳長春) · Our late grandmother Tay Seng Neo of the Cheng (Tay) clan
Auspicious burial ground (佳城)
| Chinese Name | Romanised Name | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 榮海 | Tan Eng Hai | 孝男 — Filial son |
| 榮吉 | Tan Eng Keat | 孝男 — Filial son |
| 榮業 | Tan Eng Giap | 孝男 — Filial son |
| 淑麟 | Tan Siok Lin | 孝女 — Filial daughter |
| 桂馥 | Tan Quee Hock | 孫 — Grandson |
| 桂龍 | Tan Quee Leng | 孫 — Grandson |
| 月英 | Tan Guat Eng | 女孫 — Granddaughter |
Nek Minah
爪棉𦛨 · Boyanese wife
Tomb Inscription · 碑文
甲寅年八月吉立 1914 8th moon
民國顕妣棉𦛨陳門爪氏 Nek Minah
Erected on an auspicious day in the 8th lunar month of the Jiaying year, 1914 · Republic of China era
Late beloved mother Nek Minah (爪棉𦛨) of Boyanese origin, married into the Tan (Chen) family
Note: 爪 refers to Jawa/Boyanese origin. 棉𦛨 transcribes the Malay name "Minah".
| Chinese Name | Romanised Name | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 榮吉 | Tan Eng Keat | 孝男 — Filial son |
| 榮業 | Tan Eng Giap | 孝男 — Filial son |
Biography 人物傳略
Tan Tiang Choon (陳長春) was born circa 1837 in Malacca and came to Singapore as a young lad. He was one of the oldest Straits-born Chinese residents of Singapore at the time of his death.
He entered the service of Messrs Powell and Co, Auctioneers, House and Estate Agents, shortly after the firm was founded by the late Mr H.T. Powell, and worked there for 53 years — eventually serving as storekeeper. He retired in 1916 when his chief, Mr J.T. Lloyd, sold his interests to a limited company.
Tan Tiang Choon passed away on a Wednesday morning in 1919 at his residence in Killiney Road, at the age of approximately 82 years. He was buried in the Hokkien cemetery in Bukit Timah Road.
He was also the executor of the estate of Cheong Ann Bee. His son Tan Eng Hai married the granddaughter of Cheong Ann Guan, brother of Cheong Ann Bee, further cementing family ties within the Straits Chinese community.
Historical Records 歷史資料
The Straits Times · 25 August 1913 · Page 8 · Advertisements Column 2
Death notice of Mrs Tan Tiang Choon, nee Tay Seng Neo.
Malaya Tribune · 1 August 1919
"One of the oldest Straits born Chinese residents of Singapore passed away on Wednesday morning, at his residence in Killiney Road, in the person of Tan Tiang Choon at the good age of 82 years. Coming from Malacca when a mere lad, he entered the service of Messrs Powell and Co... for 53 years he continued in that firm... The funeral will take place on Sunday morning, and the burial will be in the Hokkien cemetery in Bukit Timah Road."
Straits Times · 21 December 1896
Tan Tiang Choon named as executor of the estate of Cheong Ann Bee.
The Directory & Chronicle · 1912 · Powell and Co listing
Powell and Co, Auctioneers, House and Estate Agents — Tan Tiang Choon listed as storekeeper. Also listed: Cheong Koon Seng, cashier.
Cheng Sim Kok Association · Sons listed
Sons Tan Eng Hai, Tan Eng Keat and Tan Eng Giap listed in the Cheng Sim Kok Association records.
Burial Record 埋葬記錄
| Person | Final Resting Place | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tan Tiang Choon 陳長春 | Hokkien Cemetery, Bukit Timah Road | Died 1919 |
| Tay Seng Neo 鄭成娘 | Hokkien Cemetery, Bukit Timah Road | Died Aug1913 · Tomb erected 1913 |
| Nek Minah 爪棉𦛨 | Hokkien Cemetery, Bukit Timah Road | Died 1914 · Buried below husband |
Features 特色
This is a rare example of a joint Straits Chinese and Boyanese family tomb cluster — reflecting the multicultural marriages that were not uncommon among Straits-born Chinese merchants in 19th-century Singapore. The inscription 爪棉𦛨 for Nek Minah is particularly notable: 爪 (Jawa) denotes Boyanese/Javanese origin, while 棉𦛨 is a phonetic Chinese transcription of the Malay name "Minah" — an unusual epigraphic example of cross-cultural name rendering in stone.
Related Tombs 相關墓碑