Chua Swa Chwee parents

Profile: Chua Chuan Mao (蔡全夘) & Madam Chew Keok Neo (周却娘)

Tomb of Chua Chuan Mao and Madam Chew Keok Neo

Tomb Inscriptions

Name (Father)	Chua Chuan Mao (蔡全夘)
Name (Mother)	Chew Keok Neo (周却娘)
Ancestral Village	Nan An (南安), Fujian
Death Date (Father)	1918 (Wu Wu Year, 3rd Moon, 2nd Day)
Death Date (Mother)	19 July 1926 (Age 77)
Location	Bukit Brown Cemetery (Formerly Hong Lim's Cemetery)

Epigraphy Breakdown

Central Tablet:

• Top: 南安 (Nan An - Ancestral Origin)
• Date: 孔子二千四百六十九 (Confucius Year 2469) - Corresponds to 1918
• Calendar: 戊午三月初二日吉 (Wu Wu Year, 3rd Moon, 2nd Day)
• Deceased: 蔡全夘 (Chua Chuan Mao) & 周却娘 (Chew Keok Neo)

Cultural Insight: The Confucius Calendar

The Inscription: 孔子二千四百六十九 (Confucius Year 2469)

This tomb uses the Confucius Calendar (孔子纪年) rather than the standard Republic (Minguo) or Imperial dating systems. This is significant for several reasons:

• The Calculation: The year is calculated from the birth of Confucius (551 BC).
  Calculation: 1918 + 551 = 2469.
• The Indonesian Connection: The use of the Confucius Calendar was—and still is—prevalent among Chinese communities in Indonesia (Dutch East Indies). Even today, it is used by Confucian organizations (MATAKIN) in Indonesia.
• Bukit Brown Context: When this calendar appears on tombs in Bukit Brown, it often indicates that the deceased had strong business or familial ties to the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), or belonged to the reformist Confucian movement of that era.

Biography & Timeline

1918: Death of Chua Chuan Mao
The patriarch, Chua Chuan Mao, passed away in 1918. His tomb was constructed shortly after, leading to a notable newspaper mention regarding its construction quality.

1919: The "Mason's Bonus" Incident
Malaya Tribune, 10 October 1919
In a rare public display of generosity, the tomb masons, Chop Chuan Hiap Seng (located at Alexandra Road), placed a newspaper advertisement to thank Mr. Chua Swa Chwee.

Source: Malaya Tribune, 10 Oct 1919

"We beg to thank Mr Chua Swa Chwee, of No 19 Seah Street, for presenting us with the sum of $800, over and above the amount agreed between ourselves for building his father's grave, owing to his having been greatly pleased with the manner in which the work was executed by us."

1926: Death of Madam Chew Keok Neo
Malaya Tribune, 24 July 1926
Madam Chew passed away on 19 July 1926 at 7:15 pm at the family residence, No. 19 Seah Street. She was 77 years old. The funeral procession moved to the Toa Payoh Burial Ground (though her name appears on this tomb as well).

Economic Context: What could $800 buy in 1919?

The $800 bonus given to the tomb builder was an astronomical sum for the time. To put this "tip" into perspective:

• A Brand New Car: In 1919/1920, a new Ford Model T cost approximately $800 - $900 Straits Dollars. The bonus alone was the price of a car.
• 2 Years of Salary: A junior clerk or teacher in Singapore earned roughly $30 - $40 per month. This bonus represented nearly 2 years of wages for an educated worker.
• Property Value: A small terrace house in the suburbs might cost $2,000 - $3,000. This tip was roughly 30% of the value of a small house.

Conclusion: The fact that Chua Swa Chwee could give $800 just as a "token of appreciation" indicates the immense wealth and status of the family.

Genealogical Data

• Son (Filial Son - 孝男): Chua Swa Chwee (蔡山水)
• Grandsons (孫):
  • Chua Cheng Kang (清江)
• Granddaughters (女孫):
  • Chua Hong Neo (鳳娘)
  • Xiu Niang (绣娘)
  • Ma Li (傌厘)

References

1. Malaya Tribune, 10 Oct 1919, Page 7 (Chop Chuan Hiap Seng Advert).
2. Malaya Tribune, 24 Jul 1926, Page 5 (Obituary of Madam Chew).
3. Bukit Brown Cemetery Tomb Inscriptions.