A successful Chinese businessman, Chen Ah Teak, purchased Portion 26 (29 acres) of land on the Sugarloaf Peninsula from Henry Hocken Bligh in 1882 and erected a weatherboard house there. He employed several Chinese men to garden the land until 1896, when Quong Lee took over the enterprise. Chen Ah Teak also owned market garden land at Botany, Gordon, Pennant Hills and Pearces Corner and was a respected leader in the Chinese community. He married a European lady and brought up his family in Sydney. He spoke fluent English and often served as an interpreter for his countrymen. Ah Teak gave evidence to the 1891 Royal Commission on Alleged Chinese Gambling and Immorality and Charges of Bribery.
