Low Teng Leng (Bukit Brown)

Low Teng Leng was the Proprietor of Chop Guan Chin Hong at No 17 and 94 Robinson Road. Low Teng Leng was also one of the Board Members of the Hong San See Temple with his name inscribed on its pillars (information on the temple linkage with thanks from Ang Yik Han). In 1919, Low Teng Leng bough freehold rubber plantation with fish ponds and compound house No 102 Thomson Road 49 acres 25 poles for $72,000.  In 1920 there was a local property sale that mentions that Low Teng Leng and Chia Eng Say bought 999 years' leasehold land and godowns 10 and 11 Kim Seng Road for $155, 701. In 1921 that all came crumbling down. 

 

From a Coolie to a Merchant worth half a million dollars 

In a 1921 bankruptcy court public examination, i got further insight about Low Teng Leng and his business. Mr. Low Teng Leng has been in Singapore for 33 years and was 46 years old (at the time of this bankruptcy court case in 1921). He came down to work as a coolie at the age of 13 and then ventured into his own trade at the age of 21. His first chop was Chin Hong and it was a retail shop with capital of $550. He subsequently opened Chop Guan Ching Hong at the age of 26 or 27 with a capital then of $4,000. It's business was supplying provisions to steamers. Later on, he became a general merchant and 4-5 year back began a wholesale business. He also ventured into buying and selling of land (before World War I) in partnership with his Cantonese friend by the name of Chong Lip Yu (of chop Seng Kong Hoo) and he also partnered with 1 or 2 other "chops" to expand his merchant business. His net worth at his peak was said to be about $400,000 to $500,000 after allowing for mortgages. The slump caused him to incur debts of roughly the same amount. In 1922 various courts official assignee put on sale assets and properties previously owned by Low Teng Leng for liquidation. Dividends were still being paid out 1936 (6 years after the death of Low Teng Leng and 14 years since first dividend was declared), which meant the estate or chop Chin Guan Ching Hong was still functioning and generating income to pay off the creditors. 

Low Teng Leng of Chop Guan Chin Hong 

Valuable freehold land auction off 

Sale of Low Teng Leng's (in this case Guano !)

In 1936 and still paying the creditors

Death 

Low Teng Leng passed away at the age of 55 on 18 September 1930 at his residence, No 45-A, East Coast Road, leaving behind 2 widows, 7 sons: Low Tye Hin, Low Hong Yong, Low Peng Nam, Low Peng Boon, Low Peng Swee, Low Peng Hock, Low Peng Hye, 7 daughters, 4 sons-in-law: Poh Peng Thuay, Lim Wee Kuan, Oh Hoen Tjiong and Aw Siew Thye, 15 grandchidren. 

From the tomb, i can make out the following names;

Sons: Low Tye Hin, Low Hong Young, Low Peng Nam, Low Peng Boon, Low Peng Chwee, Low Peng Hock, Low Peng Hai

8 daughters: Low Sian Hoe, Low Bay Low, Low Poh Choo, Low Poh Swan, Low Yeat Tee, Low Siew Eng , Low Yim Tee, Low Yim Hong

Grandson: Low Leong Kee 

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Low Teng Leng 

Family 

Two sons of Mr. Low Teng Leng married to 2 daughters of Mr. Lim Kho Leng (Walter Lim Kho Leng son of Dr. Lim Boon Keng). Low Peng Hock got engaged to Misses Alice Lim Ee Lay while Low Peng Hai got engaged to Eugenia Lim Ee Jin (both are daughters of Mrs. Lim Kho Leng and the late Mr. Lim Kho Leng, granddaughters of Dr. Lim Boon Keng) on 27 February 2604 (1944)

Son: Low Peng Hock

I am not able to find much information about Low Peng Gock and Alice Lim Ee Lay other than what is available from Geni.com 

Son: Low Peng Hai

Low Peng Hai passed away at the age of 65 on 26 March 1988. Listed on his obituary notices are his family;

Wives: Lim Ee Gin, Nancy Teo

Sons: Low Kee Eng, Kevin, Low Kee Hong

Daughter-in-law: Alice

Daughters: Suzanne Low, Theresa Low, Elaine Low

Sons-in-law: Peter Koh, Lawrence Eu, Geoff Bolton

Grandsons: Richmond Low, Lloyd Low

Granddaughters: Michelle Koh, Melissa Eu, Karen Eu   

Low Peng Hai

Eunice Lim Ee Jin also known as Eugenia Lim Ee Jin photos with her children can be seen from the National Archives website. Among the children in the photos include of Kevin Low, Suzanne Low and Theresa Low. 

Eunice Lim Ee Jin and her youngest daughter, Theresa Low
(source: National Archives of Singapore)

Kevin, Suzanne and Theresa Low - children of Eunice Lim Ee Jin (daughter of Walter Lim Kho Leng, third son of Dr. Lim Boon Keng
(source: National Archives Singapore) 

Low Peng Nam and Low Peng Boon of Eng Cheong Peng Kee 

Evolving story to be confirmed 

[research on-going]

Location of tomb 

Low Teng Leng tomb is located in Hill 3 B, plot 189. (I need to find a better photo of it another time) 

Low Teng Leng name engraved on the pillar column at Hang San See Temple
(photo by Ang Yik Ham)

References 

Bankruptcy Court. (1921, August 19). Malaya Tribune, page 5 

Bankruptcy Court. (1921, August 20). The Singapore Free Press, page 7

Aftermaths of Slump. (1921 August 20). The Straits Times, page 9

Advertisements. (1922, April 20). The Singapore Free Press, page 5

Advertisements. (1936, August 10). Malaya Tribune, page 9

https://www.roots.gov.sg/places/places-landing/Places/national-monuments/hong-san-see

https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_331_2005-01-26.html

https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-14/issue-2/jul-sep-2018/nan-an-history-in-sg/