海澄
Died on October 21, 1927 at the age of 65 at 139 Lavender Street
山有龍脉人
有木本水源
新義字克配
原是漳州海
澄謝蒼蒼頭
社從師学文
青年展志出
外經商初到
叻時未久創
建機器两枋
廠高戰卅餘
載厥後遂成
巨富華夷均
皆蘭桂腾芳
元配蘇氏三
從四德夫婦
相敬如賓乙
丑夏間先預
築便两壙之
壽塋
The tomb inscription
**"The mountains have dragon veins, and people have their roots and origins.
Chua Sin Ghee other name is 克配 (Ke Pei)
Originally from Zhangzhou, Haicheng, Xie Cang, Cang Tou Village
He get his literary knowledge under a teacher,
In his youth, he aspired to achieve great things and ventured abroad for business.
Upon arriving in Singapore (referred to as '叻'), he soon established two machinery factories.
For over thirty years, he fought diligently and eventually became immensely wealthy,
Earning respect and admiration from both Chinese and foreign communities.
His descendants flourished like orchids and osmanthus, symbolizing prosperity and virtue.
His first wife, Madam Su, exemplified the virtues of 'three obediences and four virtues,'
And the couple respected each other like honored guests.
In the summer of the Yichou year (乙丑) (1925), he prepared in advance by constructing a dual burial site,
A resting place for eternal peace and longevity."**
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1. **Dragon veins (龍脉)**: In Chinese geomancy (feng shui), dragon veins refer to the energy lines in the landscape that bring prosperity and good fortune.
2. **Roots and origins (木本水源)**: A metaphor for one's ancestry and heritage.
3. **Three obediences and four virtues (三從四德)**: Traditional Confucian virtues for women, emphasizing obedience and moral conduct.
4. **Singapore (叻)**: The character "叻" is an old colloquial term for Singapore, derived from the Malay word "Selat" (strait).
5. **Dual burial site (两壙)**: A tomb prepared for both husband and wife, symbolizing their eternal union.
南洋名人傳
蔡新義君
蔡君新義。。閩海澄謝倉倉頭社人。幼讀書数年。遂力農。。然非素志。。故冠後棄而之南洋新嘉坡。因族人先君而來居新者3。實繁有徒。知君志。共筧助君。遂啓新長興什货舗。。克勤克儉。累寸積銖。三十年間。。置家立業。。分巨商號。如承德興。。承德成等。皆星洲中卓卓有名者承德興。承德成。二巨號立。。以事冗。。不能兼顧。早將新長興収盆。而二巨號垂業三十餘年。歲計所赢。。殆不可數計。。顧春秋化甲。。自知精爽己衰。杖履逍遙。。丘壑養望。固其時也。於是併二巨。咸歇其業。。所蓄積。盡以建置產業。。又以六千金。倡組倉頭崇仁學校。又以若干金。。捐於星州崇正。。崇本。。道南。爱同。。等學校。又以若干金。捐於善濟醫社。中華商務總會。及祖國賑災等事。意在積德以遺子孫也：。父毛昌。母氏甘。四子五女。。長子長福次長生。。次長慶。次長輝。長福自啓長福興號。。長生啓德盛號。。餘子仍幼。讀書而己。。
Here is the translation of the biography of **Cai Xinyi**:
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**Mr. Chua Sin Ghee**
Mr. Chua Sin Ghee was from Xie Cangcang Tou She, Haicheng, Fujian. In his youth, he studied for several years before turning to farming, though it was not his true aspiration. After reaching adulthood, he left for Nanyang (Southeast Asia) and settled in Singapore, where many of his clansmen had already established themselves. Recognizing his ambitions, they supported him, enabling him to open **Xin Changxing**, a general goods store. Through diligence and frugality, he accumulated wealth bit by bit. Over thirty years, he built a family and established businesses, including prominent enterprises such as **Cheng Dexing** and **Cheng Decheng**, which became well-known names in Singapore.
As his responsibilities grew, he could no longer manage everything and eventually closed Xin Changxing to focus on **Cheng Dexing** and **Cheng Decheng**. These two enterprises thrived for over thirty years, with profits too vast to count. As he aged and felt his energy wane, he decided it was time to retire and enjoy a leisurely life, nurturing his spirit amidst nature.
He eventually closed both businesses and used his accumulated wealth to invest in properties. He also donated **six thousand dollars** to establish the **Cangtou Chongren School** and contributed significant sums to various schools in Singapore, including **Chongzheng**, **Chongben**, **Daonan**, and **Ai Tong**. Additionally, he donated to the **Thong Chai Medical Institution**, the **Chinese Chamber of Commerce**, and disaster relief efforts in his homeland, aiming to accumulate virtue for the benefit of his descendants.
His father was **Mao Chang**, and his mother was **Madam Gan**. He had four sons and five daughters: the eldest son, **Changfu**, who opened **Changfuxing**; the second son, **Changsheng**, who established **Desheng**; and the younger sons, **Changqing** and **Changhui**, who were still young and focused on their studies.
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 22 September 1921, Page 5
