Lee Seng Joon (Lao Sua)

When we saw the fig engulfing the entire headstone as we approach this tomb in Lao Sua, first thought that came to my mind is identifying the person buried here is almost impossible. However, fortunately, on the circular decorative part of the tomb, etched on it is a name ! - it reads - In Loving Memory of Lee Seng Joon and on the other side, his year of death. 26th June 1917, age 54 years. With this i have a possible theory i could work on. 

Lee Seng Joon 

Died 26 June 1917

Tomb of Lee Seng Joon engulfed by fig tree. 

Possible connection 

Wife: Mrs. Lee Seng Joon nee Madam Tay Seok Lian 
Mrs. Lee Seng Joon nee Madam Tay Seok Lian passed away at the age of 64 on 28 September 1932. She is buried in Bukit Brown Cemetery. 

Name of children listed on the tomb included;

Sons: Lee Cheng Siang, Lee Cheng Tee alias Sin Choe, Lee Cheng Chee, Lee Cheng Sim
Daughter: Lee Geok Choo
Grandson: Lee Yeow Koon, Lee Yeow Hye, Lee Yeow Whatt,
Granddaughters: Lee Cheo Tee, Lee Chwee Neo

Why i said this as a possible connection is when i follow the track of her children, when 1 of her children got engaged in 1924, Mr. Lee Seng Joo already passed away before 1924 - very close to the one we discovered who passed in 1917. There is a possibility of linkage. 

Son: Lee Cheng Siang

Lee Cheng Siang passed away at the age of 40 at No. 8 Joo Chiat Terrace on 26 November 1936. He leaves behind his wife, 3 sons (Lee Yeow Koon, Lee Yeow Hai, Lee Yeow Huat) and 1 daughter. Lee Cheng Siang is buried in Bukit Brown (Block 4, Division A, plot 733).

Son: Lee Cheng Tee

The engagement was announced on 26 November 1924 of Miss Kow Tiam Neo (youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kow Hock San of 83, Club Street to Mr. Lee Cheng Tee (second son of the late Mr. Lee Seng Joon and Mrs. Lee Seng Joon of 30 Neil Road). 

Cultural material significance 

Other than the beautiful art nouveau tiles, thanks to Raymond Goh, i found out that the couplet carries a good meaning in which he help translated.

Beautiful decorative tiles 

思存方寸地

念結總由天

山川從有意

水土定無偏

Thoughts dwell in this square inch of land

Remembrance is bound by heaven

Mountains and rivers follow with intention

Water and earth are surely without bias

Couplet put together meaning (photo and translation courtesy of Raymond Goh)