Madam Mah Im Neo was one of the wives of Mr. Choo Eng Choon, Madam Mah Im Neo passed away on 25th June 1949 at the age of 85. Listed at her tomb are the name of 3 daughters; Choo Kim Neo, Choo Tat Poh, Choo Ngian Kien and 1 grandson; Choo Ban Chee. In the obituary notice, Mah Im Neo passed away at her residence at No. 340 East Coast Road. She is survived by 3 daughters; Choo Kim Neo, Choo Tat Poh, Choo Ngan Kiew, 2 son-in-laws; Mr. Khoo Wee Tong and Mr. Tan Cheng San and several grandchildren to mourn her loss.
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| Madam Mah Im Neo |
Towkay Saigon / Orang Kaya Saigon and "The Six Widows' Case"
Choo Eng Choon (1848-1905) was a Head Cashier for the Saigon branch of Banque de I'Indo Chine for 20 years, a rice merchant was born in Singapore and was a British subject until he passed away in May 1905 at his residence in Amoy Street. He passed away in Singapore intestate. During his lifetime, Choo Eng Choon, "contracted unions" with 7 women. One of the woman by the name of Tan Kit Neo, predeceased him in October 1896 (from their union they had 4 sons, only 1, the youngest, Choo Ang Chee survived him and eventually obtained administration of the estate. In what was known as the six widows' case, the remaining 6 widows all claim to be widows who are entitled to a share of the late Choo Eng Choon who was said to be valued at $1 million dollars in Saigon (a French colony then) and $500,000 in Singapore. Another important story from the court case was the number of people involved. It was well summarised in one article:
One dead man.
One live son.
Six live widows.
Seven other son live sons.
Seven live daughters.
There were no less than nine barristers involved for the plaintiff, Choo Ang Chee, widow Tan Siok Yang and her children, widow Neo Chan Choo and her children, widow Cheang Cheng Kim and her children, widow Lim Cheok Neo and her child, widow Mah Im Neo and her children, widow Neo Soo Neo and her child.
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| Choo Eng Choon and his son Choo Ang Chee |
Judgement
The courts and eventually the appeal courts upheld the ruling decision that Tan Seok Neo to be the Principal wife and lawful wife and the others were labelled as "inferior wives"and were entitled to participate in one-third share of the estate. The English law of primogeniture thus did not apply in this case. The Chief Justice in his closing said, "The sympathy which i feel with the women and children whose interest are dealt with by this judgement and whose position is due to the supineness of Choo Eng Choon in not making a will.
Family
Madam Tan Siok Yang
On 3 January 1901, Cho Eng Choon married Miss Tan Siok Yang (daughter of Tan Keng Guan). Madam Tan Siok Yang passed away on 11 May 1926 at her residence, No 26 Lorong 25 Geylang Road at the age of 49. She is survived by an only son, Choo Ong Tee. Madam Tan Siok Yang is buried in Bukit Brown.
Madam Chiang Cheng Kim
Madam Chiang Cheng Kim (wife of the late Mr. Choo Eng Choon) and mother of Mr. Choo Ang Chuan and Choo Ang Tee passed away on 10th June 1935. The funeral took place on 30th June 1935 from her residence at No 35 Marshall Road, off East Coast Road for the burial ground in Buona Vista.
Family Fortunes
From the various advertisement over the years, you can get a rough glimpse of some of the properties and valuables owned by the late Choo Eng Choon in Singapore. I am still unable to information on where Choo Eng Choon was buried and more information about his family will be updated when i find.
Location of tomb
Malcom Road /Whitley Road Cemetery is know "colloquially" as Kopi Sua, is a large cemetery system with parts of it cut of due to the construction of the Pan Island Expressway. The tomb of Madam Lim Geok Hiok nee Mrs Lee Beng Chuan is at the section of Kopi Sua area that was cut of by the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) (the entrance to this section of cemetery complex is via the long staircase just before St.Joseph Institution)
[research on-going]
References
Advertisement. (1949, June 27). The Singapore Free Press, page 8
Domestic Occurrences Deaths. (1935, June 29). The Straits Times, page 10
Friday May 12 1905. (1905, May 18). The Singapore Free Press
Legal Field Day. (1908, September 10). The Singapore Free Press, page 5
Choo Eng Choon's Estate. (1908, October 22). The Singapore Free Press, page 7
Six Widows' Case. Chinese Marriage Laws (1909, July 1). The Singapore Free Press, page 7
Mrs Choo Eng Choon nee Tan Siok Yang (website).Singapore Tombstones Epigraphic Materials 新加坡墓碑铭集录
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