How did the wealth of pioneer Chia Ann Siang dwindle over time? In 1919, some 27 years after his death, newspapers were plastered with auction notices for swathes of land he had owned.
The notices were posted by his eldest son Keng Beng - the trustee of his estate. Land lots and 77 properties in Chinatown - in prime spots such as Ann Siang Hill and Telok Ayer - were listed for sale. Some of these areas were home to once-lucrative nutmeg plantations.
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