Community Involvement of European Immigrants

Source 1: An excerpt about British trader Edward Boustead. He arrived in Singapore on 13 March 1828. Shortly after his arrival, he established Boustead & Company along the bustling Singapore River.

Mr Boustead was a philanthropist, giving generously to the construction of churches, hospitals and schools in Singapore. His contributions and support helped to construct St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, St. Andrew’s Hall, Raffles Institution and St. Joseph’s Institution, among other great institutions that still exist today.

Reference:

Boustead. (2020). Our History: Two centuries in the making. Retrieved from https://boustead.sg/our-history

Source 2: An excerpt about multi-talented British - Jonas Daniel Vaughan who was a sailor, public official and prominent lawyer in colonial Singapore. He contributed to many community organisations and activities, promoted scientific observation, wrote on local history and native culture, and edited The Singapore Free Press (a newspaper).

Vaughan was active in the community. At just 21 years of age in early 1846, he was admitted to Singapore’s first Masonic lodge, Zetland in the East. He served as master of the lodge, district deputy grand master, secretary of the Dunlop Benevolent Society, as well as trustee and honorary treasurer.14 He took charge of the building fund that oversaw the construction of the Masonic Hall at Coleman Street in 1879, ensuring a high quality of work.

In 1868 Vaughan joined the Singapore committee of the new Straits Settlements Association, which represented the colony’s business interests in London.16 He was the chief promoter of the Singapore Debating Society, and was also known as the “Father of the Debating Society”.17 He was the president of the Singapore Masters and Mates Association, which defended the interests of seamen.

Reference:

Sutherland, D. (2007). Jonas Daniel Vaughan. Singapore Infopedia, National Library Board. Retrieved from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1826_2011-08-11.html?s=Colonial%20administrators--Singapore--Biography

Source 3: An excerpt about Alexander Laurie Johnston, a British merchant and also friend of Sir Stamford Raffles. He arrived in Singapore between 1819 and 1820. He is among the earliest settlers in Singapore.

Johnston was liberal and hospitable to the extreme, and in the earliest cash book when he commenced business here, the first entry to his personal debit was “A. L. Johnston, Paid subscription for the release of a female European slave, $10”. He was a liberal subscriber to the Singapore Institution. Long after he left the Settlement, his interest in welfare continued. This is evident in how, for instance, he continued to send liberal donations to its funds. Although Johnston was an Anglican Protestant, he donated towards the first Catholic chapel at Bras Basah Road.

Reference:

Cornelius-Takahama, V. (2019). Alexander Laurie Johnston. Singapore Infopedia, National Library Board. Retrieved from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_535_2004-12-27.html

Source 4: A bronze sculpture sculpture of Alexander Laurie Johnston along the Singapore River. Depicting him discussing business with Chinese and Malay merchants.

Reference:

Image retrieved from http://firedwood.blogspot.com/2014/08/singapore-river-and-bay.html?m=1

Source 5: A plaque commemorating the contributions of Benjamin Peach Keasberry, an early Protestant missionary to Singapore known for his pioneering work in the Malay mission here. He arrived in Singapore in 1839 and went on to establish the Malay Mission Chapel (today’s Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church), spearhead Malay education, and advance printing and publishing in Singapore. Keasberry was also a prolific translator and publisher, and contributed many works in Malay, notably a revised translation of the New Testament Bible, an enlarged and improved English-Malay dictionary and several school text books.

Reference:

Lee, G. (2016). Benjamin Keasberry. Singapore Infopedia, National Library Board. Retrieved from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_781_2005-01-03.html

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