CHOW Moon

Description

Biographical informationChow Moon 周满, also known as Moon Chow, is widely recognised as the first documented Chinese immigrant to Western Australia. His life story — pieced together through various historical records, oral histories, and collaborative research efforts — provides a fascinating glimpse into the early Chinese presence in the region.

Chow Moon was born in China, likely in a Cantonese-speaking area. In late 1829, Captain James McDermott employed him as a carpenter on the ship Emily Taylor in Bombay. The ship departed for the Swan River Colony, and Chow Moon arrived in Western Australia on 15 March 1830. Soon after, the Colonial Government hired the Emily Taylor for further expeditions. On 29 March 1830, the ship departed to explore Western Australia’s southern coastline and transport European settlers to Augusta. This voyage included prominent figures such as Governor James Stirling and other government representatives. However, the return journey proved challenging: on 21 May 1830, while anchored near Fremantle, the Emily Taylor was damaged in a storm and was forced to land. The ship’s crew, including Chow Moon, found themselves stranded in the colony without immediate employment. Chow Moon, who ceased working for Captain McDermott on 2 July 1830, had to navigate this period of uncertainty.

Chow Moon soon found employment with the Colonial Government as a joiner and carpenter. By August 1830, he was working for Henry W. Reveley, the government’s Chief Civil Engineer. Despite being paid less than his English counterparts, Chow Moon’s craftsmanship was valued, and he played a crucial role in constructing and maintaining essential infrastructure in the fledgling Swan River Colony. Chow Moon was recognised in the community as a skilled carpenter and boat builder. Notably, he built a highly regarded five-oared whaleboat used in Fremantle harbour.

Chow Moon married Mary Thorpe, a woman of English heritage, on 14 December 1847. Their marriage was possibly the first legally sanctioned interracial marriage in Western Australia. They had four children, though not all survived infancy. Some of his descendants, such as Betty Walker, live in Western Australia today and continue to uncover and share his story, enriching the historical narrative of Chinese Western Australians.

Tragically, Chow Moon died on 13 June 1877 after being struck by a horse-drawn mail van in Fremantle. His death led to the introduction of speed limits and the requirement for lights on vehicles at night in Fremantle, highlighting the impact of his life on the community. Chow Moon’s legacy lives on in Western Australia. He is remembered in the Welcome Walls at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle, and his story has been celebrated in local theatre productions and even inspired the names of restaurants in Perth.

Chow Moon is one of the only Western Australians to have an entry both in the first four volumes of "The Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians" as well as in Anne Atkinson's Volume 5: "Asian Immigrants to Western Australia, 1829-1901". NOTE: a few of the details in these entries have since been proven incorrect, for example we now know that Chow Moon's correct date of arrival was 15 March 1830.

The first entry in Volume 1 states:
"MOON, Chow (?Michael MOONS). b. China, d. 13.6.1877 (Frem) run over by van, arr. 12.10.1829 per Emily Taylor with Capt. James McDermott. m. 14.12.1847 (Frem) Mary THORPE b. 1829 (Eng) d. ?25.9.1886 (Frem), dtr. of Benjamin & Jane, she arr. 5.3.1831 per Eliza . Chd. Mary Ann b. 1845 d. 1853 (Free), Sarah F. b. 1847. ?John b. 1847, ?Michael, Henry, Ann & Jane b. 1850. Boat builder, carpenter & joiner Frem. 1862-77. ?His wife & 2 chd visited Singapore 14.8.1874 per Eliza Blanche, she arr. 23.8 .1884 per Franklin. & from Bunbury to Frem. 7.6.1885 per Albany. His widow took in washing & went to live with dtr. Jane who applied for poor relief on her behalf."

Anne's entry in Volume 5 states:
"MOON CHOW. Married Mary Thorpe, b. 1829, in December 1847. Father of Sarah Ann, b. 1847, d. 1853 ?, ?John and ?Michael. Moon Chow arrived in WA per the ‘‘Emily ’Taylor’ on 12 October 1829 from India. He was listed at Fremantle in the 1837 Census. In October 1846 he charged James Jones with stealing. Jones was acquitted. Moon Chow was employed as a carpenter at Fremantle when he married in 1847. He died at Fremantle in 1877 after being knocked down by a horse and cart."Other nameMoon Chow (differentiated name)周满Chow MoonDate of birth1798Date of death1877

Document

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Article - Fremantle Herald 16th June 1877

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Captain McDermott Notebook page - record of employment of Chow Moon as crew on ship - Emily Taylor

Captain McDermott Notebook page - record of those crew seeking work in Swan River Colony after wreck of Emily Taylor

Chow Moon death certificate

Chow Moon marriage certificate

Mary Ann Moon Marriage Certificate - eldest daughter of Chow Moon

Mary Ann Moon birth certificate - Eldest daughter of Chow Moon

Newspaper article - Inquest into the death of Chow Moon

Sarah Ann Moon birth certificate - 2nd daughter of Chow Moon

A promenade through Russell Square, a popular park in Perth's Northbridge area, is named after Chow Moon.

Significant place

RelationImmigrated toPlaceFremantle, AustraliaDate15 March 1830 on the 'Emily Taylor' from India

Employment

Job titleCarpenterEmployerHenry Willey ReveleyDate employed1st August 1830

Employment

Job titleCarpenter and boatbuilderEmployerSelf employedDate employed1836 to 1877

Employment

Job titleCarpenterEmployerJames McDermott on the ship 'Emily Taylor'Date employed[date unknown]

Family

ParentFather - Chow ChingoinChildMary Ann MoonSarah Ann MoonJane MoonAnn MoonOther relativeWife - Mary Thorpe

Connections

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social SciencesReferencesAsian immigrants to Western Australia, 1829-1901 (Atkinson, 1988)Searching for Moon Chow: A Joint Journey (Tao, Smith, Mosmann, Poon & Walker, 2023)

UWA Collected

CHOW Moon

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA