"It is important for my children and grandchildren to know their roots" - Philip Chew

When we first came across Philip Chew’s blog entry, entitled 'My Chew Joo Chiat Story', we found an intriguing, fascinating read as we had not come across a historical blog of its nature before.

Philip Chew is the great grandson of Chew Joo Chiat, also referred to more recently as 'The King of Katong'. Dads for Life wanted to know about the reason for recording his research on his great-grandfather in a blog. What was the legacy being left by creating this blog, and more importantly, who did he write this for?

We met the sprightly grandfather at his home on a recent Friday afternoon. He shared some of his thoughts on why he wrote his blog on the Chew Joo Chiat Story.

Dadsforlife (DFL): How did you come about starting to write your blog on the Chew Joo Chiat Story?

Philip Chew (PC): My main purpose is to let my children and grandchildren know their roots, their rich heritage as well as the legacy of Chew Joo Chiat. Another reason is the inaccuracies and gaps written about him which I came across in websites, books and newspapers.

In the websites it was stated that Chew Joo Chiat was a wealthy Peranakan land owner when he was actually a Chinaman. In the book Joo Chiat, a Living Legacy it was stated that he had six sons and four daughters. The correct figure was two sons and three daughters that I found on his tombstone with their names engraved on it.

During my research about my great-grandfather, I discovered that even in the National Library Board Infopedia, his dates of birth and death were wrongly recorded. In that light, I decided to write his story so that owners of present websites would make corrections and future publishers would be able to access the right facts about him.

DFL: We take it that your grandchildren have seen your blog on Chew Joo Chiat. How have they reacted to it?

PC: (laughs) One day in school, my grandson told his teacher that Chew Joo Chiat was his great, great, great, grandfather and was very proud. It so happened that his teacher lived in the same neighbourhood and my wife and I, and she told my wife when they met at the market.

DFL: How has writing the blog helped you and your family ties?

PC: My blog is just a way to record my family history for my children and grandchildren. But it is rewarding to know that my grandchildren are interested and proud of their heritage. My grandchildren in USA (Ahaheim, California) have viewed it and told their friends about it too.

Another interesting point is that my blog helped me to discover extended family members in countries like Australia, China, Ireland and nearer home in Malaysia and Singapore. I am currently in contact with them. This has not only helped me extend family ties but also inspired me to build Chew Joo Chiat’s family tree which has more than 250 names now.

DFL: Tell us briefly about your Chew Joo Chiat Story. We are especially impressed by the historical accounts and photographs from the past.

PC: The main thing about my great grandfather was his rags to riches story. He came from China to Singapore in 1877 at the age of 20 years as a young man without a penny to his name. He came with an aim to make a fortune to better the lives of his family. Through hard work he saved enough money to start a small business. He was bestowed with keen foresight and business acumen and thus became a successful businessman.

He was a man who wore many hats and seized the opportunities to accumulate his wealth when he came across them. Before the turn of the 20th century he built shops and residential houses at Geylang Road opposite Paya Lebar Road. He was (at different times) a ship chandler, a timber trader and a planter in Joo Chiat. He planted spices such as gambier, nutmeg and pepper when there was demand in Europe. When copra became the cash crop, he planted coconut trees on his land.

When he saw a housing boom coming to the east coast, he divided his land into multiple building plots. In addition to the above, he maintained stakes in two banks (Batu Pahat Bank and Pacific Bank), and two tin mining companies (Ulu Pacca Corporation and Trengganu Corporation) and presided in all their annual meetings. He also owned a rubber estate in Changi and most of the land at Kampong Eunos.

The reason then, for the Chew Joo Chiat Story, is to let his descendants know that their roots in Singapore traced back to a humble beginning.

DFL: Coming back to the present, how do you and your grandchildren spend time together?

PC: We see each other quite often, such as through my weekly visits to my grandchildren, eating out together and having family gatherings at my children’s homes. We celebrate every family member’s birthday at home and sometimes in restaurants. We also celebrate the Moon Cake Festival, Christmas, Lunar New Year and Chap Ngoh Meh together.

I also keep in touch with my son and his family in California by phone, webcam, email and I visit them annually in the United States. On occasion, my son also visits us here. In this way, I stay connected with my children and grandchildren.

DFL: Well, you are truly involved in the lives of your grandchildren. Thank you for spending time with us.

Some tips from Philip Chew on blogging about your family history.

 

1. Do your research. The Lee Kong Chian Reference Library archives Singapore’s newspapers dating back to early 1800s on micro film.
2. National Library Singapore Information Research (SIR), Local History Service is another useful resource.
3. Blogging is not hard to pick up - anyone can do it.
4. Use photographs, maps and newspaper clippings where available.
5. Document your site visits if you do embark on them.
6. Spread the word about your site to your family and friends
7. Let your children and grandchildren have access and be able to ask questions about the history of your family. It is a great opportunity to share and communicate with them.

 

Submit your own dad story here and we will do our best to publish it.

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About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.

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