On 3 January 1901, Choo Eng Choon (of No. 88 Amoy Street) married Miss Tan Siok Yang (daughter of Tan Keng Guan of No. 21 Park Road). The wedding was reported in the The Singapore Free Press and was well attended by friends including a few Europeans. Miss. Tan Siok Yang in 1901 would have been about 24 years of age and Choo Eng Choon 53 years old.
Madam Tan Siok Yang passed away at the age of 49 on 11 May 1926 at her residence, No. 26, Lorong 25, Gaylang Road. She leaves behind an only son, Mr. Choo Ong Tee to mourn her loss.
Messrs. Tan Yean Swee, Choo Ong Tee, Koh Tiong Watt and Koh Tiong Seng and family convey their thanks to all who attended the funeral of Madam Tan Seok Yang on 16 May 1926.
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| Madam Tan Siok Yang |
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| Choo Ong Tee (son) |
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.
Location of tomb
Tan Siok Yang is buried in Hill 1 Section B, plot 117
Variant NameTan Siok Yang also refers to Tan Seok Yang
References
Death.(126, May 12). The Straits Times, page 7
Acknowledgements. (1926, May 17). The Straits Times, page 8
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