十九世纪初叶，新加坡福建帮出现了一位杰出的领袖人物，这人名陈金声（1805-1864），号巨川，是一位马六甲的侨生，一百年前“丰兴号”（陈金 声的店号）三字，妇孺皆知。他对新加坡社会最大贡献，便是改善居民水供问题。原来早期的新加坡未有自来水设备，居民饮水，专靠土人汲取，以牛车入市求售， “牛车水”这个地名反映了当日水供简陋的情形。遇到干旱或火灾，更是不便。陈金声目睹这种情况，乃于1857年11月18日捐钜金一万三千元促政府兴建自 来水库，由麦里芝（Macritchie）引食水至市镇来。可是这项工程并未实现，后来当局乃建造一座喷水池以纪念他慷慨输囊的义举。这座喷水池即是今日 屹立于伊丽莎白女皇道（Queen Elizabeth Walk，俗称五欉树脚）上的陈金声纪念喷泉。
陈金声纪念喷泉是一座三层的铁质喷水池，全高约十余尺，形状如一古式花瓶，乃当年英国伦敦Andrew Handyside有限公司所承制。水池底层是四个持坛的裸童，微弯着腰作水汲状。各裸童背后壁上铸有两位童子，各人手持一支三脚叉。中层为四位老人的面 部浮雕，胡须特长，表情慈祥而庄严。其上则有四个浮雕美女，长袍赤脚，她们之中一人手持弦琴，一人持卷籍，一人持花环，一人持信笺，背靠着背望向远方。其 他部份尚有莲花图案装饰，绝无空白袣处。至于纪念陈金声的字样，则以每字盈尺的古体英文凸字，满满的围列在喷水池的基部：
This Foundtain is erected by the Municipal Commissioners in Commemoration of Mr. Tan Kim Seng’s Donation towards the cost of the Singapore Water Works
（此喷水池为市政局所建以纪念陈金声先生献款捐助新加坡自来水工程）。
陈金声纪念喷泉上的美女浮雕，匠心独运
我们从这座喷水池设计之别致，雕铸之精美，可以肯定系源出英国名匠之手。据说过去水池上的四个裸童及老人口中都会喷水，而今因年代久远失灵了。现在水 是由它顶端的一道水管涌出，环绕着伞形的圆顶倾泻而下。那四个长袍美女，就坐在圆顶之下，所以泉水虽由其头顶喷出，却不会淋到她们身上。匠心独运，叹为观 止。如果说它是新加坡所有喷水池中最富于艺术气氛及充满古色古香的一座，是一点也不言过其实的。
陈金声纪念喷泉是在1882年5月19日由市政局长史哥脱（Thomas Scott）主持揭幕典礼。出席观礼者有首席法官（Chief Justice）、辅政司（Colonial Secretary）、金声哲嗣陈明水及其他显要。当时喷水池是座落于红灯码头（Johnston’s Pier）附近的汇丰银行旁边，即今日的停车场上。后来由于该处车辆日多，交通不便，乃迁移至距离欧战和平纪念碑不远的海滨。二次大战前夕，填海工作完成后，再移至目前的地点。
在殖民地时代那种特殊的社会环境里，一座表扬华人功绩的纪念物竟然矗立于繁华的市中心，而且由市政长官亲临主持开幕仪式，这是一件不简单的事。殖民地 政府这种作法，是有其用意的。因为政府在接收陈金声的钜额捐款后，对于自来水库建设工程，却一事无成。等到1862年新加坡发生严重干旱时，兴建自来水库 工程又再旧事重提，可是这笔捐款已被政府工程师糊里糊涂地浪费完尽了。及至1877年新加坡完成第一项自来水供应工程时，陈金声已逝世十四年了。当局可能 因此内疚，同时为了对华族社会有所交待，只好隆重其事地表扬陈金声的贡献。
陈金声对新加坡的贡献，除了自来水工程外，尚有其他显赫的功绩。例如大世界（Great World）前的金声路（Kim Seng Road），今多误写为金昇）是他所铺设的。他尤致力于教育事业，天福宫左殿的“崇文阁”以及厦门街的“萃英书院”，这两间早期的新加坡华文学塾，他是主要捐款者兼创办人；此外他对陈笃生医院也有很大的协助。
陈金声对新加坡社会最大贡献，便是改善居民水供问题
十九世纪的新加坡华族社会领袖人物多是凭籍财力而取得社会地位，陈金声即是其例。当新加坡开埠后不久，他便与一批富有冒险精神的商人，冲过了荷兰舰队 的封锁线和海盗横行的区域，到来这块土地开拓新天下。起先创办“金声公司”，作小本经营，后来业务逐渐扩充，不数载便富甲一洲。可是富翁必须乐善好施，热 心公益，才能被珍惜这种美德的华族社会推崇为领袖。陈金声急公好义的仁风，使他迅速荣登了侨领的宝座。基本上说，他所扮演的角色、影响力，以及所作的贡献 皆远远超越他本身所属帮派的范围，而惠及整体华族社会。
以福建帮为首的新加坡华族社会，有一个优良传统，就是帮领导人物的合作无间。由“开基”恒山亭的薛佛记到继起的陈笃生、陈金声，并没有留下夺权斗争的 丑迹。福建帮之所以能稳健发展，全靠他们那种大公无私和卓识远见的领导精神。陈笃生之子金钟（1829-1892），陈金声之子明水（字宪 章，1828-1884）和薛佛记之子茂元（亦作源，？-1879）都是同时代的人物。福建帮一时人才辈出，群季俊秀，揖让成风，乐善好施，是这一世代的 特点，所以能得到当地政府的重视，侨民的拥戴。福建帮之所以能取得超帮的领导权，是有其历史因素的。继往开来，今日我们更要秉承并发展祖先这种创业的精 神，团结互助，做出更多、更积极、更有益于社会的事业。
摘自 林孝胜等著，《石叻古迹》（新加坡：南洋学会，1975年4月），页233-237
Kim Seng Co. Merchants
《联合早报》 - 陈金声五世孙媳妇 陈黄佩璧出版 《陈金声传》 (2019-02-14)
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/fukan/others/story20190214-931701
很多人都听过新加坡先驱人物陈金声的名字，对他的认知却限于大世界附近的一条路，横跨新加坡河的一座桥，还有滨海公园的喷泉，知道这些设施以他命名，除此之外所知甚少。
熟悉本地华社历史的人，或许知道他是最早兴学办教育的先驱人物，1849年设在天福宫偏殿崇文阁的私塾，以及创于1854年的萃英书院，都是他倡议创办的华文学塾。另外，也知道他曾捐资尝试解决市区水供问题，但铺设陶管引水的计划没有成功。
一本由陈金声五世孙媳妇陈黄佩璧撰写的新书《陈金声传》，能弥补人们对这位先驱人物认知上的缺失。退休前是本地一家房地产投资公司总经理的陈黄佩璧（67岁），也是名门之后，是柔佛港主黄亚福的曾孙女。
不知道嫁陈金声五世孙
不过，黄佩璧1976年与陈长利这位整形外科医生结婚时，完全不知道自己嫁进另一个名门望族。黄佩璧说，她的丈夫只告诉她祖父叫陈思仁（Tan Soo Jin），她并不知道陈思仁是陈金声的曾孙。
身世之谜是在他们的长女陈美金出世后才揭开。黄佩璧的家翁陈永善（Peter Tan Eng Sian）突然决定带小夫妻和新生孙女到马六甲的祖厝参观和祭祖，她此时才知道自己嫁入陈金声家族。陈长利医生的高祖父是陈金声的第三儿子陈明岩，曾祖父是陈明岩的独子陈若铨。
黄佩璧撰写《陈金声传》，大概受到她的曾祖父黄亚福另一曾孙女黄佩萱启发。黄佩萱2002年出版《移民、建筑商、企业家：黄亚福传》。陈长利医生在新书发布会上希望有人能为陈金声写传，黄佩璧当时随口说退休时会考虑这么做。她在2006年退休后，丈夫便不断催她动笔。
她在2008年才开始着手此事，先阅读新加坡开埠时期的资料、文献、文章等，了解时代背景。她也到图书馆、档案馆翻查各种资料，阅读旧报章，走访亲友，还在远房亲戚李炳荣（Peter Lee）带领下，与夫婿一同回陈金声在中国福建永春的家乡。家翁陈永善去世后不久，她再次带家婆曾秀金回乡。不过第二次到访时，老房子屋顶已坍塌。
新加坡国立大学2013年获得一笔捐款后，把青龙木学院（Angsana College）易名为陈爱丽丝与彼德寄宿型学院（College of Alice and Peter Tan），新名称中的“爱丽丝”正是曾秀金，“彼德”便是陈金声的玄孙陈永善。
陈金声祖籍
陈家祖籍福建永春丰山兜，开基祖陈冲在元代迁到永春。最早下南洋的是陈金声（1806-1864）的祖父陈臣留（1737-1784）。陈臣留在父母（陈良育和黄慎娘）双亡后过番，在族人资助下于1757年到马六甲。经过一番努力创立丰兴，还与当地妇女姚随娘结婚，生下一女陈缎娘和二男陈瑞绒和陈瑞布。瑞绒早逝，瑞布正是陈金声之父。陈瑞布年幼丧母，陈臣留把他送回永春受教育。
陈瑞布（1775-1824）先在中国与蔡八娘完婚，生下二男（应望和应仪）二女（淑娘和远娘），但他念念不忘马六甲，父亲去世后回到马六甲继承家业，另娶吴侃娘（1784-1858）为妻，两人生下四个儿子应策、金声、玉成和璜璋。陈金声是吴侃娘的第二胎，却是陈瑞布的第三个儿子。
新加坡开埠时，陈金声才13岁，不可能随第一批商人移居新加坡。陈金声究竟在哪一年移居新加坡还待考证。有历史学者根据约翰·金马仑（John Cameron）1865年出版的书推算，他是在1834年到新加坡，但他的长子陈明水1829年生于新加坡。黄佩璧因此相信，陈金声移居年代介于1824年和1829年之间，即他父亲去世后和长子出世前。
从英国人送给陈金声的两个银制摆设品（epergnes）上的刻文，可以看出陈金声做香料生意时，深得英国人信任，早在1837年已经和英国商人建起良好关系。黄佩璧发现1840年之前，几乎找不到有关陈金声的记载。当时的华社显然以陈笃生为首。但是1840年之后，陈金声便经常购买房地产，而且只买不卖。
这显示陈金声在35岁左右已发迹，他在1864年以58岁世寿离世时，已经是新加坡和马六甲最有钱的华商。金马仑估计，他留下200万元资产，黄佩璧在遗产记录中找到的数字是46万7931西班牙元，但是《海峡时报》1924年的报道引述陈金声曾孙、遗产信托人陈思仁的话，说他的遗产超过300万元，当中百多万元是房地产，剩余是现金。这在当时是非常庞大的数额。
陈金声不曾涉及鸦片生意
黄佩璧记得家翁陈永善曾说，他父亲陈思仁最引以为傲的是，祖先只做香料和原产品生意，不曾涉足鸦片生意。她翻查Carl A Trocki有关鸦片贸易的书籍，欣慰陈金声与后人的名字不曾被提及，显示他们不曾做过这种不光彩的交易。
陈金声的公司叫丰兴，与英国人交易时却用“金声公司”。金声路和金声桥启用后被本地人称为“丰兴路”和“丰兴桥”。陈明水1884年逝世前，很多福建人的结婚证书盖上丰兴的印章。不过，陈若锦成立家族公司来照顾祖先坟地时，把名称改为丰顺。
陈金声虽在新加坡发迹，却没有切断与马六甲的关系，他在新加坡注册“金声公司”后，便在马六甲设分行。他在1847年被推选为青云亭亭主，成为马六甲华人最高领导人。
早期的名门望族都以通婚扩大家族势力，陈金声让嫡长子陈明水娶漳州商人薛佛记的女儿薛庚娘，这让陈明水的长子陈若锦更容易被所有福建商人接受。陈金声的小女儿陈玉合嫁给另一名福建殷商杨逢泰。黄佩璧说，陈思仁娶的是陈笃生后人，因此她的丈夫陈长利也是陈笃生后人。
陈金声死后葬在马六甲，但陈家很多后人如陈明岩、陈若锦、陈若铨、陈霰娘等，最早葬在史德林路（Stirling Road）俗称双口鼎芳林山的老坟场。陈霰娘是陈若锦的女儿，也是前总统陈庆炎的外婆。双口鼎被迁移时，陈家后人的墓全被迁葬到蔡厝港坟场，这些墓最近再次起坟，黄佩璧手中的资料显示，有74口迁葬墓与陈家有关，包括10名“若”字辈后人。年代最久远的，是死于1857年的陈臣学。
里峇峇利一带曾是陈金声家族的大本营。今日的永安苑（Yong An Park）过去是陈家宅邸Panglima Prang，属于陈明水、陈若锦一系，住过六代人。今日的曙光公厦（The Morningside）过去属于陈明岩一系。马六甲祖宅虽已变成酒店，目前还在陈明惠一系的手上。
Straits Times - Shedding light on life and legacy of Tan Kim Seng (2019-02-10)
《联合早报》- 新加坡医学教育先驱陈若锦 (2022-06-16)
陈若锦是陈金声的孙子，陈明水的长子，1904年与多个社会团体联名，向总督请愿，创办医科学校，训练本地人当医生。总督同意，第一届医科学生于1910年毕业。
新加坡于1905年才有第一所训练本地人的医科学校，经过百余年的艰苦经营与不断改善，方有今天的世界级医疗、教学及培训水平。这一切是滥觞于一位医学教育先行者陈若锦所付出的努力。
陈若锦是陈金声的孙子，陈明水的长子，他在新加坡出生，幼时接受私塾教育，也学习英文。18岁在陈金声公司当学徒，父亲去世后，他和叔父陈明岩共掌公司业务。
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陈若锦毕生致力于各领域的社会公共事业，如经济发展、公共卫生、教育、防卫、社会改革；长时间担任海峡殖民地立法议员，以及市议会议员、保良局委员，华人参事局闽籍华人代表。32岁受殖民地政府册封为太平绅士。
向总督请愿创办医科学校
上世纪初，新加坡的西医服务只提供给东印度公司职员、英国军队、印度籍驻兵（sepoy）、警务人员；居民患病时，唯有求于中医或土医。
后来有了政府医院，可是严重缺乏医疗人员。那时只有英籍医疗人员派驻，后来才聘请印度籍和欧亚籍医疗人员。有鉴于此，殖民地政府英籍医官西蒙认为，新加坡要有自己的医科学校，训练本地医疗人员。可惜招募不到合格学员，加上应征者英文水平不够，唯有放弃这计划。
1926年落成的爱德华七世医学院大楼 。
到了1904年，在海峡英籍华人公会（新加坡土生华人协会前身）理事们与各社会领袖协商后，一致认为本地需要一所医科学校，并向总督安德逊提呈请愿书，要求创办一所医科学校，训练新加坡及联邦的本地人当医生或助理，参与政府医疗服务，医治贫困居民。海峡英籍华人公会创会人之一陈若锦为首签署，同时也代表华社及各社会组织，联名提呈请愿书。
不久总督通过辅政司回复，认为招募适当人选攻读医科，以及办校经费可能遭遇多方面的障碍，包括民间能否积极合作办校。不过，若请愿人能筹得7万1000叻元，总督将承诺向殖民地政府提出创立医校，并应允负责医校员工薪水，以及维持开销费用，同时每年提供10份医科奖学金。
总督发出“挑战书”后，陈若锦马上接受献议。他登高一呼，率先以个人名义，捐出1万2000叻元，然后发动新马各团体组织筹募捐款，结果筹得8万7077叻元，比总督定下的数目超出1万6077叻元。
1905年9月“海峡殖民地与马来联邦政府医科学校”（The Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States Government Medical School）开课，只录取23名学生。学校由一栋女子疯人院改建。
1910年5月，第一批本地医生毕业，七人之中只有陈树楠（1885-1972）是唯一的华族毕业生。
陈若锦高瞻远瞩
1910年首届医科学校毕业生。前排右一为陈若锦，后排左三是陈树楠。
1912年，陈若锦再筹12万叻元，发展扩充医学院。陈若锦还捐赠两份750叻元的奖学金，保送成绩优异的医生到外国进修，为期六个月。
同年，学校正式易名爱德华七世医科学校（King Edward VII Medical School），陈若锦担任医科学校委员会委员，直到去世。
1920年，医科学校升格，易名为爱德华七世医学院（King Edward VII Medical College），1926年新医学院大楼落成，就是今日的卫生部。1949年，医学院并入马来亚大学，第二年，医科毕业生授予内科外科医学士学位（MBBS）。
第一届医科毕业生陈树楠高度赞扬陈若锦，认为他高瞻远瞩，使新加坡医学教育起步并蓬勃发展。他的仁心义举，在1955年马来亚大学出版的《马来亚50年的医学教育》，以及1995年新加坡国立大学出版的《90年的医学教育》都有详细记录。
横跨新加坡河的若锦桥。（档案照片）
陈若锦对医学院关怀备至，对新加坡社会做出巨大贡献，1912年获得英国王室封赐CMG爵士勋衔。对一个殖民地小民，能够获得封赐至高勋衔，可说是难得的殊荣。
在金声路附近，还有一条若锦街和若锦桥，纪念这伟人的功绩。
Descendants of Illustrious Pioneers - Tan Kim Seng
https://www.singaporememory.sg/contents/SMA-ac490a23-09cf-400b-b988-517d971e9db0
No reader should find the name Tan Kim Seng unfamiliar. Tan Kim Seng (1806-1864) was a wealthy merchant in 19th century Singapore. He made enormous contributions to Singapore society and to education, and his descendants have inherited his legacy.
Improving the water supply situation of residents was probably the biggest contribution Tan Kim Seng made to the Singapore society. Prior to 1857, Singapore’s potable water was either well water or river water. At the time, those who sold well water would transport water for sale either by bullock carts or on the shoulders of sellers. Some would transport water on barges from Rochor River or Kallang River to the former Clifford Pier to sell to urban residents. This greatly inconvenienced the lives of residents. In the event of a fire or drought, the situation was worse.
On 18 November 1857, the 50th birthday of Tan Kim Seng, the generous and charitable gentleman decided to donate 13,000 Dollars to urge the government to build a reservoir in the hope of resolving the water supply problems of residents. However, he did not have the opportunity to enjoy the convenience of tap water. That was because Singapore’s first reservoir - MacRitchie Reservoir - was completed only 14 years after he passed away. In 1882, the city government built a fountain to commemorate his generous contribution. This fountain, the Tan Kim Seng Fountain, is still situated at Queen Elizabeth Walk.
Tan Kim Seng was very concerned about the education of Chinese children and was the founder of Chinese education in Singapore. In 1849, he funded the construction of Chong Wen Ge within Thian Hock Keng to establish a private school. Five years later, Chui Eng Si E was established on Amoy Street, and was the first local school offering education in Chinese.
Thanks to Tan Kim Seng’s passion for education, many of his descendants were also committed to education. His eldest son Tan Beng Swee (1828-1884) for instance, donated money to restore Chong Wen Ge in 1887. He also expanded Chui Eng Si E. Tan Beng Swee’s son Tan Jiak Kim (1859-1917) not only funded the development of Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, he also contributed to the founding of King Edward VII College of Medicine (the former Singapore General Hospital) and persuaded many wealthy Chinese merchants at the time to generously support the building of the medical college. Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (President of Singapore at the time of writing), the son of the maternal great-great-granddaughter of Tan Kim Seng, was once Singapore’s Minister for Education.
Tan Kim Seng’s fifth generation descendant Tan Eng Chiang (1908-1998) also inherited the legacy of his ancestor and made donations to support education. He was the father of sixth generation descendant, Richard Tan Tiang Teck (75 years of age). Richard Tan said that his father was a landowner and an alumnus of St Andrew’s Secondary School. He helped fund the building of his alma mater’s boarding school as well as the expansion of the school building. Richard Tan’s elder and younger sisters were once teachers as well.
Of the many ancestors in the clan, Richard Tan most admired Tan Kim Seng. He said, “Tan Kim Seng was born in Malacca. He made his fortune through perseverance and hard work. He was an intelligent and upright man. He had great acumen and his business prospered, leaving an enormous fortune for his descendants.”
Tan Kim Seng not only did his best to improve the water supply situation of residents and founded Chinese medium schools, he also built Kim Seng Road, and was a director responsible for the building of Thian Hock Keng, the Hokkien Huay Kuan and Po Chiak Keng. He was a well-respected member of the Chinese community and was made a justice of peace in 1850. The city government at the time would often ask him to mediate disputes of the Chinese community.
Richard Tan said that Tan Kim Seng’s will (which is now part of the National Library collection) revealed that Tan Kim Seng was both traditional and avant-garde in his thinking. In his will, he left word that after he passed away, rites and ceremonies according to traditional Chinese custom shall be performed, and he exhorted his family members that such traditional Chinese rites and ceremonies shall be performed in memory of him, his ancestors or deceased family members in the future. In his Codicil to the Last Will and Testament, he emphasised that should any of his sons or male descendants in the male line forsake or renounce the religion and practices of the Chinese and adopt any other religion, such individuals would cease to have any right to the inheritance. Similarly, descendants who marry Westerners would cease to be have any right to the inheritance. This showed that Tan Kim Seng was single-minded when it came to traditional views.
Tan Kim Seng owned many properties; not only his four sons but also his two daughters were given a share of hiestate. According to traditional custom, daughters who were married would not have normally been entitled to a share of the estate. In this respect, Tan Kim Seng was considered relatively liberal at the time.
Richard Tan said that Tan Kim Seng was held in high esteem among Malacca’s Chinese community. The local Chinese regarded him as a great benefactor.
Cheng Hoon Teng in Malacca was the highest administrative body for resolving and handling all matters related to the local Chinese and was referred to as the “administrative centre for Chinese affairs”. Tan Kim Seng was a “Teng Choo” of Cheng Hoon Teng. During his term of office, he donated land to set up a burial ground for the community, funded the building of a bridge that connected the banks of the Melaka River and restored Cheng Hoon Teng; he had a lasting impact on the development and administration of the Chinese community in Malacca.
These were not the only deeds performed by Tan Kim Seng in which Richard Tan takes pride. He said, “Tan Kim Seng did not support gambling. The money he made was clean.”
Tan Kim Seng was revered by his descendants. Vivienne Tan, the wife of one of his descendants even wrote a biography about him. It is understood that the book will be launched shortly in Singapore. Unfortunately, various attempts to reach the author before the deadline failed; further information concerning the content and publication of this book was also unavailable.
Other than Tan Kim Seng, Richard Tan also takes pride in Tan Kim Seng’s eldest grandson, Tan Jiak Kim, who was his great-grandfather. According to Richard Tan, Tan Jiak Kim was persuaded by his uncle, Tan Beng Gum (1823-1893) to join the family business, Kim Seng & Co. He was only 18 at the time.
Tan Jiak Kim was a prominent descendant of Tan Kim Seng. He not only actively supported education, he was also elected municipal commissioner in 1886, and appointed a member of the Straits Settlements Legislative Council in 1889 and justice of peace in 1891. He was also a committee member of the board of Tan Tock Seng Hospital and a trustee of Raffles Institution. In 1900, he co-founded the Straits Chinese British Association (now The Peranakan Association) and was its first president.
Richard Tan said, “Our ancestors were charitable and benevolent, and had a lasting impact on their descendants. Reading their past deeds and the way they treated others, I am similarly inspired. Even my mother was no exception.”
Tong Sian Tng Temple on Devonshire Road, near Orchard Road, is a 125-year-old temple. Founder Beh Soon Ching and his disciples had been offering medical assistance and helping the poor at the temple from the very beginning. The temple is a place that offers help to the needy. Richard Tan’s mother was very supportive of the charitable deeds of Tong Sian Tng and often donated to the Temple. She had also helped fund the restoration of the Temple.
Perhaps it was the calling of his ancestors, but Richard Tan is also very passionate about public welfare undertakings. He is now retired. Prior to retirement, he was director of sales at Great Eastern Life Assurance for 25 years. During that time, he was active in the Cairnhill district and had served the district for years. He was once chairman of the management committee of Cairnhill Community Centre (now Cairnhill Community Club) and was also chairman of the 25th National Day Celebration Committee. To celebrate the 25th National Day, Scotts Road, under his leadership, was decorated with lights and ornaments for a period of four months, and S$25,000 was raised for the Community Chest. During his term, Richard Tan also actively helped raise funds for the construction of Cairnhill Community Centre back then.
Besides community work, he also served as chairman of Pelangi Home of Destitute and vice-chairman of Toa Payoh Girls’ Home, working for the welfare of the less fortunate in society. Well-respected Richard Tan was appointed a solemniser in 1996.
In addition, he also spared no effort in promoting a new sport. In 1978, he founded the Singapore Orienteering Federation (SOF) to promote orienteering.
This sport originated in Sweden and requires the use of a map, compass and navigational skills to move from one control point to the next designated control point. The sport had its beginnings in military training programme and has since evolved into various different types. That which is the oldest and the most common is foot orienteering. This is a very healthy intelligence sport that tests both mental and physical abilities. Orienteering is an event in the World Games.
When SOF was first established, orienteering was a brand-new sport in Singapore and had just 32 members. The number of members increased to 360 in five years and SOF became a member of the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) in the same year. Being part of IOF was no mean feat for SOF and a great achievement.
In 1982, under the support of SOF, the then Serangoon Gardens Community Centre held an orienteering contest which attracted 16 teams. That was also the first orienteering held by the community centre.
In 1989, Richard Tan was conferred the Public Service Medal (PBM) to commend his contribution to the Singapore society.
Richard Tan said, “It feels good to have the opportunity to give back to society. I’m happy to do that.” Owing to his age, Richard Tan has retired from key volunteer posts. Nonetheless, as long as it is within his means to help, he would offer his assistance to the needy without hesitation.
The Fengshan Tan Family Genealogy is a valuable inheritance Tan Kim Seng left to his descendants and has significant historical value. It is now under the custody of Richard Tan. The genealogy clearly records that Tan Kim Seng’s ancestral home was in Fengshan Village, Taocheng Town, Yongchun County, Fujian Province. It also clearly lists the sequence of generational names of Tan Kim Seng’s family, i.e.: Song, Mao, Ru, Xian, Bai, Shi, Xing, Jin (Kim), Ming (Beng), Ruo (Jiak), Si (Soo), Yong (Eng), Chang (Tiang) and Mei (Bee) . We see from this that Tan Jiak Kim was the grandson of Tan Kim Seng, and Richard Tan is the sixth-generation descendant of Tan Kim Seng and the great-grandson of Tan Jiak Kim. This genealogy was revised when Tan Jiak Kim was still alive but has not been revised since.
Richard Tan intends to complete the revision of the genealogy and has expressed his wish to engage a third party to undertake this to that future generations would be able to understand the glorious achievements of their ancestors as well as the development history of the family. He also hopes to include the descendants and deeds of the female members of the family into the genealogy.
He said, “The female family members of Tan Kim Seng have also contributed to the success of the clan. Moreover, the number of descendants is no longer what it used for be for various reasons, and the number of male descendants have declined. It would be a great loss to the entire clan if female descendants remain excluded from the genealogy.”
Richard Tan estimates that there are about 3,000 individuals who are descendants of Tan Kim Seng scattered around the world. 30% to 40% live in Singapore; 20% in Malacca; and 5% in Penang; the rest have settled in Australia, the UK, the USA, New Zealand, Indonesia and Hong Kong, among others.
Richard Tan said that after his father, Tan Eng Chiang, passed away, the descendants of Tan Kim Seng stopped holding family reunions, but they would all do their best to attend every festive occasion such as weddings to keep in touch.
Upon retirement 15 years ago, Richard Tan has chosen slow living as his lifestyle. His two major hobbies are current affairs and listening to music. He also often takes strolls in the Botanic Gardens. He said that the vast grounds of the Botanic Gardens with luxuriant foliage and fresh air reminded him of the family’s mansion, “Panglima Prang”, which was his home for 40 years.
“Panglima Prang” means “war admiral” in Malay. According to The Singapore House, the mansion was built around 1860 by Tan Kim Seng, and six generations of Tan Kim Seng’s descendants called this mansion home. The mansion, on a 10.5-acre plot of land, was located at Jalan Kuala, off River Valley Road. The architectural style was a combination of east and west and comprised one main building and two wings. The main hall was in the centre, and there were 16 bedrooms altogether as well as quarters for domestic helpers and a large storeroom. The grounds around the mansion were vast with many fruit trees including rambutan, durian and mango.
Prior to being demolished in 1982, “Panglima Prang” was the oldest preserved residence in Singapore. Yong An Park now sits on its former site.
(The author is a special correspondent of this journal for SFCCA. The article was contributed to the Singapore Bicentennial.)
