長泰
孔子2462
辛亥年 1911
顯考禕滄輝章府君之墓位
孝男
清龍 Cheang Cheng Leong
孝女
玉娘 Cheang Geok Neo
玉寶 Cheang Geok Poh
仝立
Burial Entry Name
Blk 3 D Plot No 18
Date of internment 25.6.35
Cheang Chong Hwi
The Directory & Chronicle of China, Japan, Straits Settlements, Malaya
WAN SENG (CHOP) MERCHANTS, 107, 108 HAVELOCK ROAD
ESTATE OF LATE CHEANG HONG LIM
Cheang Jim Hean, manager, executor and trustee
Cheang Cheow Lian Neo, executrix
Cheang Jim Chwan, assist manager
Cheang Jim Kheng, assistant
Choe Sin Seang, do
Lim Kwee Eng, Chinese bookkeeper
Cheang Chong Hwee, building superindent
N W Cashin, rent distrainer
C P Frois, English Clerk
Choe Han Tiong, bill collector
Tan Boon Gim, Chinese clerk
Property in Gardens
"Moh Lim Huin.," River Valley Road
"Ban Kee,' Havelock Road
Keat Chwam, River Valley Road
Siew Chuan, Tanglin Road
Hock Siew Huin, Alexandra Road
Liat Kong Lwan, Tanglin Road
Joo Ee Huin, Pasir Panjang Road
Hock Leng Huin, Tanjong Pager
Cheang Chong Hwee, the eldest adopted son of Cheang Hong Lim and his first wife (Mdm Wee who died circa 1869), worked as a building superintendent in his father's firm, in the 1890s When Chong Hwee died in 1911, his tombstone included inscriptions that combined three distinct calendric systems:
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Confucian Year 2462 - This was calculated by adding 1911 to the traditional birth year of Confucius in 551 BCE.
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Xinhai Year (辛亥年) - This was part of the 60-year sexagenary cycle used in traditional Chinese calendars, combining the Ten Heavenly Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches.
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Suzhou numerals - A stylized, rod-like numeral system commonly used in trade and bookkeeping, which encoded the year "2462" on the tombstone.
The use of these multiple calendric systems on Chong Hwee's tombstone highlights how tomb inscriptions often reflected both the spiritual beliefs and daily life practices of the deceased during their lifetime.
In fact, the use of the Confucian calendar system was not uncommon in certain tombs at Bukit Brown Cemetery, particularly those associated with the Indonesian community. Even today, the Indonesian Imlek (lunar) calendar still references Confucian reign years in many cases.
The inclusion of Suzhou numerals on some tombstones, commonly seen in past markets and ledgers, further underscores how these inscriptions were intended to convey a multifaceted representation of the deceased's cultural and socioeconomic background.
1910
Straits Times 1885 Jan 21
Read letter from Messrs Lermit and Annamalai, applying on behalf of Tan Kang Chuan and Tan Eng Yon, for permission to make a burial ground on their land situated in the district of Upper Tulloh Blangah, near the police situation on Alexandra Road. Application granted
The Directory & Chronicle of China, Japan, Straits Settlements, 1882,
Boustead n Co, Merchants, 19 Collyer Quay
Tan Tiang Ann
Tan Kang Chuan
The Directory & Chronicle of China, Japan, Straits Settlements, 1888
Boustead n Co, Merchants, 18 Collyer Quay
Tan Kang Chuan
Goh Sin Hee
Lim Eng Kiat
Goh Sin Hee's son Goh Tiang Soo was husband of Cheang Geok Neo
