Tan Kim Ching (Bukit Brown)

Tan Kim Ching (1829-1892) was the eldest son of the late Tan Tock Seng, a philanthropist and merchant. The name of Tan Tock Seng is immortalised because of his contributions to the hospital which bears his namesake today; Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Tan Kim Ching, inherited his father's business acumen and was also a wealthy chinese towkay and the Consul General and Special Commissioner for Siam. He was a property owner, with businesses in plantations, tin mining in Southern Siam (Thailand) and rice-mills in Bangkok. He was also a steamship owner and this ships were christian as "Siam" and "Singapore". Tan Kim Ching owned a large track of mining concessions not explored yet in Mount Ophir, Kampong Rusa, Patani among others. 

Tan Kim Ching cultivated good relationship with the King of Siam and among the Chinese community so much so that he was the well respected-head of the Seh Tan's especially in the states bordering Siam. Tan Kim Ching was instrumental in helping the British resolve the succession conflict in Perak and also the mining concession wars between the two major secret societies of Hai San and Ghee Hin. Tan Kim Ching was a prominent member of the Ghee Hin Secret Society.

Tan Kim Ching

Death 

Tan Kim Ching passed away on 27th February 1892. The cortege of Tan Kim Ching moved from his town residence in North Bridge Road (junction of Coleman and North Bridge Road -formerly Hotel Hamburg) for his private burial ground in Changi (13th mile of Changi Road). The funeral procession was a mile long starting from North Bridge Road, passed by Rochore Police Station and the Gas Works until finally arriving at the thirteen milestone in Changi Road. 

Tan Kim Ching was re-interned to Bukit Brown, Block 4 Division C, plot 1709 on 13th March 1938. 

On his gravestone, it highlights his title of Consul of Siam, Phya Anukul Siamketch Upanick Sit Siam Rath, Chinese Kapitan and Qing Dynasty Imperial ranking. He was also a commander of the third class Order of the Rising Sun of Japan.

Tan Kim Ching's tomb at a private burial ground in Changi
before relocation to Bukit Brown (source: a20)

Tan Kim Ching's tomb at Bukit Brown

Family

He has two brothers, Tan Swee Lim and Tan Teck Guan. Tan Kim Ching had 4 sons; Tan Sen Kek, Tan Soon Toh, Tan Keh Jiang and Tan Hay Leng (born in 1892). 3 of his son's predeceased him. 

Anna and the King connection

If you are familiar with Anna and the King, Tan Kim Ching had a part in making the connections. It was because of him & his close ties with King Mongkut, King of Siam and the British, that he recommended Anna Leonowens to the King.

Siam House

Tan Kim Ching's house at the junction of North Bridge Road and Coleman Road was a prominent landmark at that time. In 1890, King Chulalongkorn stayed at Tan Kim Ching's residence, 'Siam House'. The king also paid a visit to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and presented it with a donation of one thousand (1000) dollars in Thai gold coins.  Toh Lam (Hokkien) Chinese School (now Tao Nan School) started at "Siam House" former residence of the late Mr. Tan Kim Ching. The Chinese Philomathic Society consisting of about a dozen Yong Straits Chinese (among them, Wee Siang Tat) practiced violin under the tuition of Mr. Salzmann at "Siam House".

Siam House 

Variant Name

Tan Kim Ching also refers to Tan Kim Cheng 

References

Tan Kim Ching. from Wikipedia.
Picturesque and Busy Singapore. (1886, December 13). Straits Times Weekly Issue.
Death of Tan Kim Ching. (1892, February 29). The Singapore Free Press
The late Mr Tan Kim Ching. (1892, April 20).The Singapore Free Press
Panamoric View of Singapore with Fort Canning in Background, From St. Andrew's Church, Singapore.(website).National Archives, Singapore. Access from Archives Online.