Chia Ann Siang and Family: The Tides of Fortune
Chia Ann Siang was once one of Singapore’s wealthiest landowners and merchants. His name lives on today in Ann Siang Hill in Chinatown, but little else is known about him, particularly his private life. This illuminating new book paints the most detailed portrait to date of his life and times in colonial Singapore and traces the changing fortunes of the Chia clan through the years.
Born in Malacca in 1834, Chia joined Boustead and Co., an English trading company in Singapore, as a storekeeper at the age of 16. In just six years, he was made Chief Storekeeper, and was able to buy himself a house at 58 Telok Ayer Street (and another one on Amoy Street for good measure). An astute property in¬vestor, Chia continued to acquire much real estate in the course of his life; by 1919, he owned more than 70 houses in Chinatown. In 1873, he purchased a large piece of land from John Gemmill, which soon became known officially as Ann Siang Hill.
Chia Ann Siang died in 1892, leaving a fortune that supported two generations and educated a third. This book looks at the disparate fortunes of his descendants, including a son he disinherited for marrying against his wishes, and a daughter whose marriage brought two wealthy families together.
Far more than a biography, this book tells the fascinating story of more than seven generations of Straits Chinese, from Chia’s grandfather’s emigration from Fujian to Malacca in 1774, right up to the present day.
RM84.90
Out of stock
Description
Chia Ann Siang was once one of Singapore’s wealthiest landowners and merchants. His name lives on today in Ann Siang Hill in Chinatown, but little else is known about him, particularly his private life. This illuminating new book paints the most detailed portrait to date of his life and times in colonial Singapore and traces the changing fortunes of the Chia clan through the years.
Born in Malacca in 1834, Chia joined Boustead and Co., an English trading company in Singapore, as a storekeeper at the age of 16. In just six years, he was made Chief Storekeeper, and was able to buy himself a house at 58 Telok Ayer Street (and another one on Amoy Street for good measure). An astute property in¬vestor, Chia continued to acquire much real estate in the course of his life; by 1919, he owned more than 70 houses in Chinatown. In 1873, he purchased a large piece of land from John Gemmill, which soon became known officially as Ann Siang Hill.
Chia Ann Siang died in 1892, leaving a fortune that supported two generations and educated a third. This book looks at the disparate fortunes of his descendants, including a son he disinherited for marrying against his wishes, and a daughter whose marriage brought two wealthy families together.
Far more than a biography, this book tells the fascinating story of more than seven generations of Straits Chinese, from Chia’s grandfather’s emigration from Fujian to Malacca in 1774, right up to the present day.
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish International
Paperback
2020
ISBN: 9789814868303
Related products
-
Karpal Singh: Tiger of Jelutong
Karpal Singh is widely regarded as the best criminal and constitutional lawyer practising in Malaysia today Since graduating from the University of...RM49.90 -
The Sara Saga
The decades from the 1930s to the 1960s were hugely important in the making of modern Asia They saw the tumultuous transition from colonial rule...RM40.00 -
Memoir Prejuangan Politik Syed Husin Ali
Memoir ini merupakan kenangan hidup penulis tentang perjuangan politiknya untuk menegakkan keadilan, kebajikan dan kebenaran bagi rakyat Ia...RM38.00 -
Cerita Kak Wan: Citra Pesona Seorang Wanita
Cerita Kak Wan lahir daripada suara seorang wanita yang dikentalkan oleh dugaanMeskipun beliau pernah berada di puncak – Kak Wan tetap menjadi...RM30.00