Singapore's Chinatown is a vibrant and bustling district full of colour and culture. It has become a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike, thanks to the influence of prominent British people who have shaped its history over the years.
From their far-reaching architectural designs to their impact on the economy, these individuals have left a lasting mark on Singapore's History and Chinatown.
This article explores some of the most notable British individuals who helped shape Chinatown Singapore.
Stamford Raffles: The Founder of Modern Singapore
Stamford Raffles is a name that is synonymous with the founding of modern Singapore. As an official of the British East India Company, Raffles's mission was to establish a trading post that could rival those of the Dutch and Portuguese in the region. His vision was to make Singapore a global trading port that would serve as a gateway to the rest of Asia.
In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles visited the site where he landed on January 29. He stayed for ten days and, with the help of Major William Farquhar, completed the first treaty with the local rulers Temenggong Abdul Rahman and Sultan Hussein Shah.
This historic event is marked by a statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, which stands as a reminder of his visit in 1819. During his ten-day stay, he worked with Major William Farquhar to create the first treaty with the local rulers. Visitors can find the mark of this historic moment along the north bank of the Singapore River.
Statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, image credit: visitsingapore.com
Raffles quickly recognised the potential of Singapore's geographic location, which made it an ideal stopover for ships travelling from Europe to Asia. He believed that the island's natural harbour and strategic position at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula made it an ideal location for trade development. From the outset, Raffles set about transforming Singapore into a prosperous city-state.
Under Raffles' leadership, Singapore underwent rapid change and development. He implemented several far-reaching reforms and infrastructure projects that transformed the city-state into a modern metropolis. Raffles introduced several measures to improve public health and sanitation, including constructing a modern water supply and sewage system. He also established a network of public hospitals and dispensaries to improve healthcare in Singapore.
The scope of Raffles' vision for Singapore remained remarkable, and one of his key legacies was the creation of Singapore's enduring multicultural society. He saw Singapore as a melting pot of cultures, with its diverse population of Chinese, Malays, and Indians. Raffles believed that the assimilation and integration of these different cultural traditions would create a unique society rich in its cultural heritage.
John Crawfurd
John Crawfurd is another prominent figure who shaped the development of Chinatown Singapore. Serving as the Resident of Singapore from 1823 to 1826, he recognised the Chinese community's significant role in Singapore's economic growth.
Crawfurd created a system of Chinese Secret Societies known as the Ghee Hin and Hai San to manage their affairs and regulate trade and commerce in Chinatown. These societies' roles prevent conflicts between different Chinese factions and ensure that businesses operate smoothly. Crawfurd also introduced a licensing system for Chinese tradespeople, which established quality control and promoted fair business practices.
Thanks to Crawfurd's efforts, the Chinese community was able to thrive and contribute to the growing economy of Singapore. His innovative system of governance not only facilitated trade and commerce in the area but also helped create a diverse, vibrant and culturally rich Chinatown Singapore that exists today.
Portrait of John Crawfurd (1857), image credit: National Heritage Board.
William Farquhar
William Farquhar is a prominent figure in the development of Chinatown Singapore during his tenure as the British Resident. He recognised the immense economic potential of the Chinese community in Singapore. He sought to establish systems of governance to manage their affairs.
Farquhar created a system of licensing for Chinese tradespeople, which helped regulate the quality of goods sold in Chinatown and promoted fair business practices. This system was crucial in establishing Chinatown as a traditional Chinese crafts and trade centre. It ensured that the products sold in the area met specific standards, which attracted customers and boosted trade.
In addition, Farquhar established several government buildings and institutions in Chinatown that helped maintain law and order in the area. The Magistrate's Court and Police Station were two such establishments that played a crucial role in keeping the area secure and crime-free.
Moreover, Farquhar encouraged the growth of Chinese industries such as textile production and carpentry, which helped to establish Chinatown as a cultural hub in Singapore. This made Chinatown an attractive destination for both locals and tourists and helped contribute to the city's overall growth and development.
Farquhar's efforts were highly effective, and he was well-liked by both the Asian and European communities in Singapore. Munshi Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir, in his Hikayat Abdullah, attested to Farquhar's popularity.
As a testament to the admiration he won amongst the Chinese community, they gifted Farquhar with an exquisitely crafted silver epergne bearing Latin inscriptions, crests, and the hallmark "1825" before he returned to England. William Farquhar's contribution to the development of Chinatown Singapore was instrumental in establishing it as a thriving commercial and cultural centre in Singapore.
Portrait of William Farquhar (1830), image credit: wikipedia.org
Fun fact: Farquhar is the fifth great-grandfather of Justin Trudeau, the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada
Cecil Clementi Smith
Sir Cecil Clementi Smith was a distinguished figure in Singapore during the late 19th century. He served as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Straits Settlements for six years, from 1887 to 1893. Smith was known for being a powerful and efficient administrator, working tirelessly to improve the livelihoods of the people of Singapore.
During his tenure, Smith focused on neutralising the power of the secret societies that posed a significant threat to Singaporean society. He achieved this through his commitment to law and order, which helped create a peaceful and safe environment for the residents of Singapore. He was proactive in dealing with the Chinese secret societies prevalent in Chinatown at that time.
He succeeded in breaking their hold on the area once and for all.
Besides being an exemplary administrator, Sir Cecil Clementi Smith was also passionate about education. He founded a Queen's Scholarship in Singapore to support and fund local students pursuing higher education in British universities. This was a remarkable initiative at that time and positively impacted the local community.
Smith's commitment to the local community was so remarkable that when he left Singapore in 1893, the Chinese petitioned for him to stay longer. His influence was far-reaching, leaving a lasting legacy in Singapore. Today, he is remembered as one of the most influential leaders in Singaporean history, and through the namesake, Smith Street, in Chinatown.
Bust of Sir Cecil Clementi Smith in Victoria Concert Hall, image credit: wikipedia.org
William Alexander Pickering
William Alexander Pickering CMG is a prominent British figure who significantly shaped Chinatown, Singapore. He was the first Protector appointed by the British government on 3 May 1877, to administer the Chinese Protectorate in colonial Singapore. Pickering was also the first European official in Singapore who could speak fluent Mandarin and Hokkien, which earned him the trust of many Singapore Chinese.
During his tenure, Pickering focused on controlling the problems posed by the secret societies in Singapore, which were prevalent at that time. His efforts went a long way towards achieving this task. In 1876, an official British report on secret society activities was published, recommending that every incoming coolie at Boat Quay should first encounter a British official who could speak their language. This official would then inform the early Chinese immigrants that 'there was an officer of the Government whose special duty is to protect and befriend them.
In May 1877, Pickering was appointed for this job under the title of "Protector of Chinese," his office was located in a small shophouse along North Canal Road in Singapore known as the Protectorate of Chinese.
Pickering's sincere efforts towards the welfare of the Chinese community in Singapore attracted the anger of the secret societies, and he became the target of an assassination attempt in 1887. In a dramatic incident, a Teochew carpenter named Chua Ah Siok, sent by one of the secret societies, the Ghee Hok Society, attacked Pickering by throwing an axe at him. Though seriously injured, Pickering survived the attack.
Pickering's contributions to Singapore were commemorated by naming Pickering Street in Singapore's Chinatown after him. His tenure as Protector of the Chinese in Singapore significantly contributed to the cultural heritage and development of Chinatown in Singapore.
William Alexander Pickering, image credit: wikipedia.org
George Drumgoole Coleman
George Drumgoole Coleman was an Irish civil architect who played a crucial role in the early development of Singapore. In 1822, Sir Stamford Raffles hired him to design and construct much of the civil infrastructure in the city.
Despite only a handful of his buildings surviving, Coleman's work remains of great historical importance in Singapore's architectural heritage. One of his most prominent buildings that still stands today is the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory, the Illuminator on Hill Street, which he designed and built in 1835.
Coleman was also responsible for designing the Telok Ayer market on the waterfront, completed in 1835. Although it was later demolished, they retained the octagonal shape of the original market when it was relocated to the present-day Lau Pa Sat. He was also responsible for finishing and extending the Raffles Institution, originally designed by Lieutenant Phillip and demolished in 1972.
Additionally, Coleman designed the first Anglican church in Singapore, St Andrew's, which was unfortunately demolished due to lightning strikes and becoming unsafe in the 1850s. Another notable accomplishment by Coleman was completing the design of Baba Yeo Kim Swee's godown located on Hallpike Street, which began in 1842 and was completed the following year.
George Drumgoole Coleman's contributions towards the early development of Singapore were crucial and have left a lasting impact on the city's architectural and historical heritage.
Portrait of George Drumgoole Coleman (1800s), image credit: wikipedia.org
Stephen Hallpike
Stephen Hallpike was a British convict convicted of larceny in England and shipped to Australia in 1819. After completing his sentence in Australia, he travelled to Singapore and settled there. Initially working as a blacksmith, Hallpike eventually expanded his business to boat building.
In time, Hallpike met and married Ellen Richardson, and together they opened Singapore's first hotel. This business venture started Hallpike's success, and he quickly became a well-reputed person within the European community in early Singapore.
Hallpike's expertise in boat building and technological advancements in the industry was ahead of Singapore's growing global trades that boomed in the 1860s. He established the Hallpike Boatyard, which constructed Elizabeth, Singapore's first ocean-going vessel.
Hallpike continued to represent advancements in technology by completing Ranee, the first-ever steamship built in Singapore. This achievement was especially significant as Singapore's position as a major trading port grew.
Stephen Hallpike settled well in Singapore and lived until age 58, passing away in 1844. He had a tombstone erected among those at Fort Canning Cemetery, a testament to his legacy and contribution to Singapore's early development.
Other Notable Mentions
In addition to the British officials who directly shaped Chinatown Singapore, numerous individuals from various fields indirectly influenced its development. These included missionaries, urban planners, engineers, financiers, merchants, and many more. Their contributions were instrumental in transforming Singapore into the vibrant and prosperous city it is today, and Chinatown Singapore was no exception.
One such individual was John Turnbull Thomson, a Scottish civil engineer who served as the Government Surveyor of Singapore from 1841 to 1853. Thomson was responsible for surveying and mapping Singapore, which helped to establish a more organised and structured urban landscape. His work was instrumental in shaping the development of Chinatown Singapore, as it provided the foundation for future urban planning efforts in the area.
John Turnbull Thomson, image credit: wikipedia.org
Another notable figure was Lieutenant Colonel Ronald MacPherson, who was the First Captain Commandment of the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps, formed in 1854. He was also the first colonial secretary of the Straits Settlements in 1867 and the designer of St Andrew's Cathedral, which was built in 1862; it is one of the most iconic landmarks in Singapore that still stands today.
Ronald MacPherson, image credit: wikipedia.org
Other notable British citizens who contributed to the development of Singapore and Chinatown include Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles' wife, Lady Sophia Raffles, who established the Singapore Institution (now the National Museum of Singapore), and merchants such as Sir William Napier, who played a crucial role in establishing Singapore as a centre for international trade.
Overall, the contributions of these distinguished British officials and citizens cannot be overlooked when examining the development of Chinatown Singapore. Their work helped create a prosperous, organised, and culturally diverse city, setting the stage for the continued growth and development of this vibrant neighbourhood.
Conclusion
Chinatown Singapore has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. It was established as a hub for immigrants from different races and religions, making it a diverse community. Over time, Chinatown has evolved into a bustling commercial and cultural centre that attracts visitors worldwide.
Although the British colonial authorities played a significant role in shaping Chinatown's growth, it's important to note that the community was made up of people from different backgrounds, not just Chinese. The Malays, Indians, and Eurasians were also present in the area, and their unique religious beliefs were reflected in the mosques and temples that were home to the residents along Temple Street and Mosque Street.
Visitors to Singapore Chinatown can explore its many landmarks and attractions, such as the iconic Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Museum on South Bridge Road, which houses a valuable collection of artefacts related to Buddhism. They can also stroll down the neighbourhood's quaint and colourful streets, such as Pagoda Street and Smith Stree, lined with traditional shophouses selling souvenirs, snacks, and street food.
As Chinatown continues to grow and evolve, it remains a significant landmark celebrating the unique blend of cultures that make Singapore a dynamic and fascinating city. The contributions of different ethnic groups to the development of Chinatown serve as a testament to the spirit of multiculturalism and inclusivity that defines Singapore as a whole.
References:
- Sir Stamford Raffles - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamford_Raffles
- John Crawfurd: https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_188_2005-01-20.html
- John Crawfurd: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Crawfurd
- William Farquhar -https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_501__2008-12-15.html
- William Farquhar - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Farquhar
- William Farquhar - http://meridian103.com/issue-1/history/william-farquhar-first-resident-of-singapore/
- Cecil Clementi Smith - https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_69_2005-01-22.html
- Cecil Clementi Smith - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Clementi_Smith
- William A. Pickering - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_A._Pickering
- George Drumgoole Coleman - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Drumgoole_Coleman
- George Drumgoole Coleman - https://sgarchi.wordpress.com/2020/04/01/singapores-first-architect/
- Stephen Hallpike - https://remembersingapore.org/2017/10/27/hallpike-street-history/
- Stephen Hallpike - https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/hallpike/stephen/98712
- John Turnbull Thompson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Turnbull_Thomson
