Seah Eu Chin (Chinese: 佘有進; pinyin: Shé Yǒujìn; Jyutping: Se4 Jau5 Zeon3; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Siâ Iú-chìn; a.k.a.

Seah Eu Chin was born in 1805 as the son of Seah Keng Liat (Chinese: 佘慶烈; pinyin: Shé Qìngliè; Jyutping: Se4 Hing3 Lit6; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Siâ Khèng-lia̍t), a minor provincial official of Guek-po (i.e. Chinese: "月浦" in Teochew dialect) Village at the Chenghai County of the former Chaozhou Fu.

However, by the 1850s–60s, the planting of gambier and pepper was becoming less profitable in Singapore for several reasons, including the increasing scarcity of uncleared land for planting (gambier quickly exhausted the soil and so plantations had to keep shifting), the shortage of firewood from the clearing of forests, and the lack of land on Singapore Island itself.

Therefore, in his later years, he became involved in trading as a merchant and agent under the name of Eu Chin Co. which was based in North Bridge Road.

The Opium and Spirit Farm, or Excise, was the main source of income for the Straits Settlements[4]) and helped manage Eu Chin's mercantile firm after the latter's retirement in 1864.

[5] Seah Eu Chin helped run Tan Tock Seng Hospital when it was first set up, being a member, and in some years treasurer, of its management committee.

Seah Eu Chin was the go-between with the Teochew community, which originated from the Chaozhou province of Southern China.

Seah Eu Chin finally retired from business in 1864, to concentrate on scholarly pursuits, though he still had an interest in community affairs.