TONG COON Thomas

Description

Biographical informationTong Coon Thomas (aka Tom Coon) was born in July 1863 in Canton, China. He migrated to Australia in 1879 and lived in Victoria for 13 years before moving to Western Australia in 1893. His wife and three children remained in China. He was five feet and six inches in height.

Partner with James Yeoung Kwong from 1895 to at least 1899 in the firm Ah Kwong & Co. The firm had shops at Perth, 349 Murray Street, and Victoria Park, in 1903. He was still working in Murray Street in 1916. Another shop was established in James Street, Perth, some time later.

He was Treasurer of the Chinese Mission Sunday School in 1896 and described as a 'Christian Chinese scholar in the Methodist Church'.

He visited China in 1899. During the visit he requested an extension to his CEDT as his wife was very ill.

Together with Peter Chung Fanggett and Thomas Chue Hing, he advocated for the hard working Chinese community - even alerting the Colonial Secretary to several Chinese gamblers he believed should be removed from the colony. “Sir if we see their conduct [gambling] acted in the public it was these three men of Chew ought to be done away with them not grant no certificate for them to return into this colony, it would be benefit for all of our poor Chinese gardeners, Laundry + and all of working classes all kinds of colours men + also for all Produce Merchants.” (State Records Office, S675, Cons 527, 1900/1158).

In 1901 he requested permission for his two sons, Tom Chon (18) and Tom Chen (16), to emigrate to Western Australia.

From 1914 to 1918 he was President of the Chinese Wesleyan Mission in Perth. In January 1918 he was assaulted on the Horseshoe bridge on his way home from the Methodist Mission Hall (see newspaper articles attached below). He was seriously injured in the head and spent two months in hospital. The newspapers reported the matter as a dispute between the Lee (or Chen) and Chew clans over the election of officials to the Chung Wah Association. Tong Coon is reported to have stood for the Presidency of the Association but was not elected.

He made a further three visits to China: July 1903 to November 1904; March 1909 to September 1910; and September 1922 to August 1929 (CEDT extension granted). He left Western Australia permanently in July 1931.Other nameTong Coon (Thomas) (differentiated name)T C TONG COON (also known as)Tom Coon (also known as)Date of birthJuly 1863

Thomas Tong Coon pictured around the age of 44 in 1909 on his Certificate Exempting him from the Dictation Test (source: National Archives, K1145, 1909/64).

Family

ChildTom ChenTom Chon

Connections

Subject (person)YEONG KWONG JamesSubject (organisation)Ah Kwong & Co., PerthChinese Wesleyan Mission, PerthChinese Mission SchoolSubject (place)349 Murray Street, PerthVictoria ParkJames Street, PerthSubject (topic)Chinese heritage in Western AustraliaShop keeperRelated collectionAnne Atkinson CollectionRelated linkNAA CoD File 1903NAA CEDT File 1909NAA CEDT File 1922NAA CEDT File 1931NAA War Registration File 1916-1920

Item information

ContributorSchool of Social SciencesSource of informationAsian immigrants to Western Australia, 1829-1901 (Atkinson, 1988)Additional research by David Mizen

Significant place

RelationPlace of birthPlaceCantonDate1863

Significant place

RelationImmigrated toPlaceAustraliaDate1889

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UWA Collected

TONG COON Thomas

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA