CHEN SEE David

Description

Biographical informationChen See David was born in April 1878 in Canton, China. He migrated to Western Australia in June 1896 (or December 1892). He was five feet and ten inches in height.

He was married to Jane Chen See. They had nine children all born around Fremantle:
1) Edward, born 1903 (BDM 1903/2607);
2) William, born 1904 (BDM 1904/3090);
3) Samuel, born 1906 (BDM 1906/2700077);
4) Joseph, born 1907 (BDM1907/2700579);
5) Katie, born 1909 (BDM 1909/2700211);
6) Annie, born 1911 (BDM 1911/2700397);
7) Una, born 1913 (BDM 1913/2700746);
8) Thomas David, born 1915 (BDM 1915/2700154);
9) Mabel, born 1916 (BDM 1916/2700571).

In 1903 he applied to become a naturalised citizen but the Governor routinely dismissed all requests after the late 1890s. From his application we learn that he also went by the name David Chen See Warley, and arrived in December 1892 and had lived and worked as a grocer in Fremantle, Geraldton and Perth. In 1903 he was married with one child (yet BDM records do not indicate any children born before 1904) and living at 14 Norfolk Street, Fremantle. He was baptized a Christian in December 1902. (SRO, S675, Cons 527, 1903/3672).

He worked as a merchant at 17 Adelaide Street, Fremantle, in 1916 and living in Market Street (Cockburn City Rates Book 1915). He also owned a 50 acre market garden along Forrest Road, Bibra Lake, Location 541 (Cockburn City Rates Book 1915). Newspaper articles indicate he was either the tenant of or the owner of several buildings in Fremantle.

He travelled overseas between May 1918 and June 1919. He left Western Australia permanently in October 1919 aboard the 'SS Minderoo' and became the manager of China's largest department store, the Sincere Company in Hong Kong (West Australian, 26 April 1932, p. 16).

A 1923 map of Cockburn Sound shows him still owning land on the northern shore of Lake Yangebup (Plot 541), just south of Bibra Lake.

In April 1932, a letter he wrote to the Presbyerian Church in Perth was published in the West Australian:
"About 30 years ago, when I was trading in Australia, I was received into your church. I never forget the kindness which your -people extended to me as well ae a number of other Chinese friends and I can say that it is the splendid service of your church I owe the progressive improvement of my career. Since 1919, L have been back in China and connected with China's largest department store, the Sincere Co., of which concern I am at present manager.
I have now nine children, most of which were baptised in your church. Some of them have, already, come out to the field, one being practising as radio engineer and another, a teacher in a local English school.
My eldest son and daughter have been married. Thus, in looking back 30 years ago, I cannot but offer thanks to God for His blessings and to my Australian friends for their assistance and encouragement.' (West Australian, 26 April 1932, p. 16).

[See Chen Sang]Other nameChen See (David) (differentiated name)CHEN SANG (may also be)CHEN SEE WARLEY DavidDate of birth1st April 1878

David Chen See pictured around the age of 40 on his Certificate Exempting him from the Dictation Test (source: National Archives, K1145, 1918/74).

Family

SpouseCHEN SEE Jane (female)

Connections

Subject (organisation)Sam Hop & Co. Furniture Factory, PerthSS MinderooSubject (place)17 Adelaide Street, Fremantle14 Norfolk Street, FremantleSubject (topic)Chinese heritage in Western AustraliaMerchantShop keeperRelated collectionAnne Atkinson CollectionRelated itemCHEN SANGRelated linkNAA CEDT File 1918NAA CEDT File 1919NAA War Registration File 1916-1920NAA War Registration File 1916-1920NAA Immigration File 1918-1937

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social SciencesSource of informationAsian immigrants to Western Australia, 1829-1901 (Atkinson, 1988)Published letter from China in 1932Additional research by Ron Milton

Significant place

RelationPlace of birthPlaceCantonDate1878

Significant place

RelationImmigrated toPlaceAustraliaDateJune 1896

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UWA Collected

CHEN SEE David

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA