The above “X-Files” was published in Wanbao on May 15.
Durian Tomb
Looks like a lonely stone, engraved Chua Family Guardian Spirit.
Next to it are many durian trees, it is rumored that if people goes there to pluck the durian to eat, they will get stomach ache. SPI researchers went to eat durian in front of the “durian” tomb but nothing happen.
But who is the owner of the lonely grave stone? Why it is alone at the forest?
API Fengshui first impressions:
The concerned grave stone is found in the patch of State Land in the junction between AMK Ave 1 and Upper Thomson Road. It is not the actual grave stone, but a guardian stone for the Chua family which must have been left behind when the main tombs were cleared. According to some old people who live there, there used to be an old cemetery there, but the old cemetery was cleared long time ago.
During the course of my research of old and interesting tombs in Singapore (more to come later), I have come across some tombs belong to the Chua Family buried at AMK Ave 1 old cemetery.
I would like to share my research as follows:
Chua Mao Choon’s Tomb
This tomb was last seen around 1987 at Ang Mio Kio Ave 1. It has since been removed.
Chua Mao Choon was born in 1819. In 1839 he came to Singapore from China and join Yi Heng Company. In 1860, he became manager of Yi Heng. Chua was a businessman and established the Mao Choon Company Chop Feng Li. He also run cinemas and prostitution dens.
Chua died in Dec 1879, and the grave was erected a few months later in 1880. He has five wives, whose names also appear in the engraving of the main grave stone
It is interesting to note that since Yi Heng is a anti Ching pro Ming Dynasty assocation, the grave of Chua did not engrave Ching dynasty (光绪å…å¹´ – 1880) but mention the year of Ming dynasty (天è¿?庚辰)
One of his wives’ grave was also buried in AMK Ave 1 old cemetery. She died in 1889. Her name was Chua Family Tan Shu Wei
Further research unearth the following facts:
Actual Tomb picture of Chua Moh Choon
Lianhe Zaobao article on tomb find published on Jul 5, 1987
Brief Synposis of tomb find:
From an area AMK Ave 1 and Upper Thomson Road behind Telecoms sub branch, there were news of 2 old tombs from a member of a nearby temple Mr Lim, 60+ years old.
Mr Lim said that the area was previously a rubber plantation, but converted in 1950’s to a village and the village was demolished in the 70’s.
According to Mr Lim, there were 3 tombs,middle main one of Mr Chua and one of his 2nd wife. The other one was demolished in the 70’s and presumably to be his first wife.
Mr Lim recalled that when the bull dozer was about to demolish the main tomb, the bull dozer broke down inexplicably and could not be restarted. Finally it was allowed to let the main tomb remain.
Mr Lim recalled that his father saw in the 1930’s some lady in kebaya (nonya) clothes coming to sweep the tomb at Ching Ming, but after that no one came at all and it was taken care of by the villagers nearby.
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Chua Mao Choon is one of the colourful characters in the 19 century, so called gang leader of the Yi Hing Secret Society.
His life history could be found at any standard books on historical persons on early Singapore.