- Born
- c. 1860
- Died
- 12 February 1920
- Alternative Names
- Fong How (also used)
- Fong Sew Hau (also used)
- Fong Sui Wing (also used)
- Wing Wah Loong (person) (business name)
Details
According to Rev Shui Kwong Lo's unpublished manuscript 'From my Darwin notebook' written 1941-1989 Fong Sew Hau (also called Fong Sui Wing and Fong How) arrived in Palmerston in 1885 from Bamboo Gully, Ling-Boi, Toi-shan [Taishan] district in Kwang Tung [Guangdong] province. He is believed to have been born around 1860.
Soon after arriving he established a business in Darwin called Wing Wah Loong that operated till at least until c1910. According to Stone and Steele he also established three other businesses - Wing Chong Loong in Pine Creek, Win Chong Kee in Katherine and a business in Mataranka.
Lease records show that he took out a seven year lease on Lot 401 in Cavenagh Street on 1 September 1890 with Yot Sing and Wo Yuen (LAU Dan) with a 30 pound annual rental which was later renewed on 1 November 1897. Lot 401 was located directly opposite the Terminus Hotel and the 'Tree of Knowledge' and is now part of Lot 3981 which include the Council Chambers and parkland.
He had twelve children. Rev Lo lists the names of five sons and two daughters. Sons (eldest to youngest): Fong-Kang-Tong, Albert Fong-Kang-Yuen [also called Albert Fong], Charlie Fong-Kang-Man [also called Fong Gang Ming, Charles Gang Ming Fong or Charlie Fong], Eddy Fong-Kang-Hung [also called Eddy Fong] and Fong-Kang-Sam). Daughters: Fong-Chui-Kam (also called Fong Choi-Kam who became Mrs Chee-Hung-Yat) and Fong-Chee-Seen (who became Mrs Lee Forday). In 1892 he adopted two girls from Toishan and brought them out to Australia. One of these girls was Mrs Lum Loy, also known as Granny Lum Loy, Nu Moo or Lu Moo.
Fong How died in China on 12 February 1920. After he passed away Wing Wah Loong was managed by either his son or his nephew (Albert Fong Goon).
Sources used to compile this entry: Stone, Shane and Steele, Roger, 'Progress of the Chinese community of the Northern Territory', Northern Perspective, vol. 18, no. 1, 1995, pp. 28-37; Northern Territory Archives Service, NTRS 1079, Lo, Shui Kwong (Rev), Typescript 'From my Darwin notebook' and photographs relating to Chinese life in Darwin, 1941-1989. Additional information provided by Leonie Low. Lease 1232, volume IV, folio 238; Lease 1897, volume IV, folio 238. NAA Darwin, E752, 1919/50, 1592980. NAA: F1, 1949/734, Dawrin, Acquisition of land, 1946.
Prepared by: Sophie Couchman, Chinese Museum
Related Subjects
Published Resources
Journal Articles
- Stone, Shane and Steele, Roger, 'Progress of the Chinese community of the Northern Territory', Northern Perspective, vol. 18, no. 1, 1995, pp. 28-37. Details
Images
-
-
- Title
- Businessmen with visiting dignitaries, Darwin or Pine Creek (perhaps on May Day)
- Type
- Photograph
- Date
- c. 1910
- Place
- Australia - Northern Territory
- Details
-
-
- Title
- Gathering at the Residency
- Type
- Photograph
- Date
- 1905
- Place
- Australia - Northern Territory - Darwin (Palmerston) - Esplanade
- Details
Created: 11 October 2005, Last modified: 27 July 2012
