Neo Jin Quee family

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Neo Jin Quee (梁壬癸)

Overview
Neo Jin Quee (courtesy name Yizong 字一宗, posthumous title Zhenrong 谥号振荣) was a pioneering 19th-century Nan’an Hokkien immigrant and community leader. In 1836 he founded Singapore’s Fengshan Temple (now Hong San See on Mohamed Sultan Road), enshrining Guangze Zunwang and creating a vital spiritual and social centre for Nan’an clansmen that eventually led to the formation of the Singapore Lam Ann Association. He passed away around 1843.

Genealogy & Burial Location

Family Details:
Father: Neo Zishu (梁自树公)
Principal Spouse: Madam E Boon Neo (余文娘, posthumous title 勤慎)
Secondary Spouse: Madam E (余氏)
Sons: Neo Chang Ann (贊安), Neo Chang Hock (贊福, posthumous title 敦睦)
Daughters: Neo Hiang Neo (香娘), Neo Kian Neo (建娘)
Daughter-in-law (wife of Neo Chang Hock): Mrs Neo Chang Hock née Chee Im Neo (徐音娘, née Yuniang / 育娘)
Grandsons (sons of Neo Chang Hock): Neo Guan Chye (源財), Neo Guan Beng (源明)
Granddaughter (daughter of Neo Chang Hock): Neo Choo Neo (珠娘)
Great-grandsons (孝孫, descendants via grandsons): Neo Hong Seng (鴻成), Neo Hong Choo (鴻珠), Neo Hong Kim (鴻金), Neo Soon Keng (順慶), Neo Soon Kim (順金), Neo Soon Kiat (順吉), Neo Soon How (順孝), Neo Soon Kian (順建)
Great-granddaughters (女孫): Tsui Eng (翠英), Gin Eng (銀英), Lian Eng (連英), Kim Eng (金英), Rui Eng (瑞英), Rui Neo (瑞娘), Ching Neo (清娘)
Great-great-grandson (曾孫): Chun Su (椿樹)

Genealogical Note:
The primary line continues through second son Neo Chang Hock and his wife Chee Im Neo. Their sons Neo Guan Chye and Neo Guan Beng erected or are listed on multiple family tombs. The great-grandsons and great-granddaughters are collectively inscribed on Chee Im Neo’s tomb, indicating extended family involvement. Neo Guan Chye's line includes Hong Seng, Hong Choo, Hong Kim; Neo Guan Beng's includes Soon Keng, Soon Kim, Soon Kiat, Soon How, Soon Kian. Further descendants of Neo Guan Beng (died 1933) include sons Soon Keng, Soon Kim, Soon Kiat, Soon How, Soon Kiang; daughter Cheng Neo; grandsons Hock Swee, Hock Leng, Hock Heng, George Seng; granddaughters Swee Neo, Ah Loei, Molly, Janey, Choo Neo.

Burial Location:
Cemetery: Bukit Brown Cemetery (relocated cluster)
Location: Block 2, Division C, Plots 82–85 (four tombs: Neo Jin Quee, principal wife E Boon Neo, son Neo Chang Hock, daughter-in-law Chee Im Neo; exhumed and reinterred together on 26 April 1927)
Secondary Wife's Burial: Originally in Kopi Sua; status post-relocation unclear.

Tomb Inscriptions & Observations

2018 commemorative stele erected by Singapore Fengshan Temple and Singapore Lam Ann Association honouring founder Neo Jin Quee.
Tomb of Neo Jin Quee (道光二十三年 1843): 清顯考謚振榮梁公府君之墓
Erected by sons Neo Chang Ann, Neo Chang Hock; daughters Neo Hiang Neo, Neo Kian Neo.
Close-up of Neo Jin Quee tomb inscription.
Tomb of principal wife Madam E Boon Neo (光緒九年 1883): 顕妣謚勤慎梁門余氏
Erected by grandsons Neo Guan Chye, Neo Guan Beng; granddaughter Neo Choo Neo.
Close-up of E Boon Neo tomb.
Bukit Brown register showing relocation of four family tombs to Block 2 C Plots 82–85 on 26 April 1927.
Tomb of secondary wife Madam E (道光𡻕次庚子 1840): 側室梁門余氏
Erected by sons Neo Chang Ann, Neo Chang Hock; daughter Neo Hiang Neo. (Separate from main cluster, originally in Kopi Sua.)
Tomb of son Neo Chang Hock (同治六嵗次丁卯 1867): 梁贊福 梁敦睦
Erected by sons Neo Guan Chye, Neo Guan Beng; daughter Neng Neo (能娘).
Tomb of daughter-in-law Chee Im Neo (date 1907 per records): Inscription lists sons Guan Chye, Guan Beng; great-grandsons Hong Seng, Hong Choo, Hong Kim, Soon Keng, Soon Kim, Soon Kiat, Soon How, Soon Kian; great-granddaughters Tsui Eng, Gin Eng, Lian Eng, Kim Eng, Rui Eng, Rui Neo, Ching Neo; great-great-grandson Chun Su.
Close-up of Chee Im Neo tomb descendants list.
Tomb of Mrs Neo Guan Chye née Madam Tan (光緒十六年 1890): 皇清故妣諡懿㳟梁門陳氏墓
Erected by grandsons Hong Seng, Hong Choo, Hong Kim; granddaughters Tsui Eng, Kim Eng, Yan Eng, Mian Eng, Lian Eng. (Separate tomb; fengshui couplet from Lai Bu Yi.)
Close-up of Madam Tan tomb fengshui inscription.
Tomb of Neo Guan Beng (died 28 Sept 1933, age 73; Block 3C Plot 477): In Memory of the Late Mr Neo Guan Beng
Sons: Soon Keng, Soon Kim, Soon Kiat, Soon How, Soon Kiang; Daughter: Cheng Neo; Grandsons: Hock Swee, Hock Leng, Hock Heng, George Seng; Granddaughters: Swee Neo, Ah Loei, Molly, Janey, Choo Neo.
Close-up of Neo Guan Beng tomb.
Neo Guan Beng tomb inscription details.

Historical Records & Transcripts

Donation Plaque, Hong San See Temple
Early 20th century

"Grandson Neo Guan Chye recorded as donor of $14."
Hong San See donation plaque.
Close-up highlighting Neo Guan Chye donation.
More Reckless Driving
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 7 April 1904, Page 5

"Horse carriage belonging to Neo Guan Chye (clerk, Guthrie & Co.) involved in collision with two Chinese women passengers; Javanese syce fined."
Newspaper clipping image.
Right to Inspect Public Document
The Straits Times, 4 October 1935, Page 13

"Estate matter involving great-grandson Neo Hong Choo as executor for the late Neo Guan Chye, regarding access to public documents."
Newspaper clipping image.

🔍 Feature: Multi-Generational Cluster Burial

The four relocated tombs form a preserved family cluster spanning three generations: founder Neo Jin Quee, his principal wife, second son, and son's wife, relocated from an earlier burial ground


References:
1. Tomb inscriptions and 2018 commemorative stele, Bukit Brown Cemetery and Hong San See Temple
2. Bukit Brown Cemetery burial registers (relocation 26 April 1927)
3. Newspaper archives: The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (7 April 1904), The Straits Times (4 October 1935)
4. Hong San See Temple donation records and Singapore Lam Ann Association
5. Bukit Brown research by Raymond Goh and team (2014 discoveries)

Index Terms: Neo Jin Quee, 梁壬癸, Bukit Brown Cemetery, Block 2 Division C, Hong San See, Fengshan Temple, Lam Ann Association, Nan’an Fujian, Guangze Zunwang, Neo Chang Hock, Chee Im Neo, Neo Guan Chye, Neo Guan Beng, E Boon Neo.