Passing down the Qing Ming tradition at Chia Hood Theam's tomb (2024)

I am very fortunate to meet today the descendants of Chia Hood Theam who came down to pay respects. Being curious, i  wanted to find out from which branch they are from and thanks to their sharing, i found out that they are from the branch of Dr. Chia Keng Hoe and more specifically, the grand and great grandchildren of Mabel Chia. It is very heartening to see the younger generation present in the cleaning of the tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam and reassures me that such acts of filial piety will continue especially when the young are involved. Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam are indeed blessed ! 

Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam being clean by their great great grandchildren (many levels down the family tree) ! 

Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood  Theam's tomb being cleaned during Qing Ming 2024

Offerings for Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam 
(photo courtesy of Pam Tan)

Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam 

 Chia Hood Theam was a Straits-born Chinese and was the son of Chia Leong Chuan. He studied in Raffles Institution and followed in his father's footsteps and went on to serve in the Merchantile Bank for 57 years and became the head shroff since 1889 (shroff is a hindi word that describes a banker in the Far East). His father, Chia Leong Chuan served for 34 years, from 1856. The Merchantile Bank itself was formed in 1855.

Chia Hood Theam was a forward looking man, actively supporting the education of Chinese woman in Singapore by being one of the pioneers in the formation of the Singapore Chinese Girl School. He was the Honory Treasurer for the Chinese Girls School until a time where work commitments overwhelmed him. He resigned and Mr. Ong Soo Tee gallantly took the dual role as Secretary and Treasurer.

Chia Hood Theam, born on February 6, 1863, passed away on July 10, 1938, at age of 75 years. He is buried in Bukit Brown, Hill 1 Division B together with his wife, Madam Yeo Lan Neo.

Madam Yeo Lan Neo, (Nonya Tawee) born March 10, 1865, passed away on July 21, 1949 at the age of 88 at 148 Killiney Road. She is survived by 4 sons (Chia Keng Tye, Chia Keng Chin, Dr Chia Keng Hoe and Chia Keng Boon ) and 4 daughters. Nyonya Tawee or also know as Mak Puteh was from Batavia (Dutch controlled Jakarta). "Tawee" in her tomb makes reference to "Batawi" the old name of Jakarta. 

Chia Hood Theam and Madam Yeo Lan Neo (Nyonya Tawaee)
(source: Chia Family Archives)

Son: Dr. Chia Keng Hoe 

In 1917, Chai Keng Hoe completed his Diploma of LMS (Surgery and Medicine) from the King Edward VII Medical School. Dr. Chia Keng Hoe was associated with The Eastern Pharmacy at 60 New Bridge Road which he went in partnership with Mr. Chia Keng Boon. On 8 December 1921, Dr. Chia Keng Hoe became the sole proprietor. In 1930's, Dr. Chia Keng Hoe articles are often associated with The Eastern Dispensary, 149 New Bridge Road. Dr. Chia Keng Hoe married Yeo Hoe Neo (daughter of Yeo Ban Choon)

Dr. Chia Keng Hoe passed away away at the age of 92 on 12 May 1980. The cortege left from Block 96 Bedok North Ave for Mount Vernon Crematorium. The family express their heartfelt thanks to Rev. Dhante  M.M. Mahawera Mahanayanka There, members of Mahagala Vihara Buddhist Temple, Rev. Bante Shanti Bhadra of Sri Lankaramaya, relatives and friends. 

Madam Yeo Hoe Neo (wife of Dr. Chia Keng Hoe passed away at the age of 82 on 12  November 1971. She left behind 4 sons, 14 daughters, 10 sons-in-law, 4 daughter-in-laws, 35 grandsons, 27 granddaughters, 13 grandsons-in-law, 38 great-grandsons  and 26 great granddaughters. The cortege left 125 Tanah Merah Kechil for Pentecost Methodist Church and thereafter Mount Vernon Crematorium.  

Family

Below is not a comprehensive list of the children of Dr. Chia Keng Hoe, but those i can find from the archives (will update if i can find more). 

Son: Dr. Chia Chin Joo

Dr. Chia Chin Joo (eldest son of Dr. and Mrs. Chia Keng Hoe) and Miss Grace Tan Kim Leong (3rd daughter of Mrs and the late Mr. Tan Chie Chan got married on 25 September 1942. 

Son: Chia Chin Seng 

The engagement is announced on 19 July 1940 of Mr. Chia Chin Seng (3rd son of Dr. and Mrs. Chia Keng Hoe) to Miss Dolores Lee Joo Imm alias Baby  (3rd daughter of Mrs. Lee Chim Sian and the late Mr. Lee Chim Sian). 

Daughter: Mary Chia

The engagement is announced of Mr. Tay Kim Tee (5th son of the late Mr. Tay Tye Yang and Mrs. Tay Tye Yang) and Miss Mary Chia (elder daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Chia Keng Hoe of Singapore). Announcement was on December 1934. 

Daughter: Chia Suat Neo

Daughter: Miss Chia Suat Neo (second daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Chia Keng Hoe) and Mr. Willie Yeo (2nd son of Mr. and Mrs. Yeo Tiang Swee. The marriage took place No. 3 Sea Avenue, the residence of the bride. The marriage took place according to modern marriage rites on May 1934. 

Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam anniversary picture  (source: Chia family archives)

3 Sea Avenue, Katong (opposite Roxy) / 25 Sea Avenue 

For many articles, Dr. Chia Keng Hoe's residence was associated with No. 3 Sea Avenue Katong. In fact many meetings of the Merrilads Musical Association, Broadway Musical Party were held there. However i do sometimes come across articles mentioning 25 Sea Avenue Katong instead. 

A glimpse of how big 25 Sea Avenue, Katong is

This blog post is possible with thanks to Pam, Lydia and Cher (granddaughters of Mabel Chia and great great granddaughters of Chia Hood Theam) 

Descendants of Chia Hood Theam (Cher, Pam and Lydia) 

A beautiful token left behind to remember Nyonya Tawee