Early Settlers The First Settlers were MicMac Indians The first settlers were MicMac Indians who came over in the summer from Nova Scotia to eat the shellfish on Panmure Island . They came over by canoe and camped on a beach on St. Mary's Bay. Along the edge of the shore were fresh water springs bubbling up. I have tasted the fresh water. The MicMacs ate clams, mussels and quahaugs which are still growing there, and are dug by the local residents and people "from away". _i- The beach on St. Mary's Bay One day last year, I took two local MicMacs, Graham Tuplin and a member of his family, to see that beach. I asked him if he wanted to take it back! The beach is near the home of Basil Lannigan , whose family farmed their twenty-five acres. The house is now owned by Bill and Mimi Murray. Next to their house is the home of Sioney Brisson, who often digs the clams and quahaugs on the beach. There is a MicMac cemetery. Andrew Campbell knew where it was, and used to visit it, since there were cranberries growing nearby. Neil Campbell , who is still living, may know where the cemetery is. A new settler, Gary Riemersma , has made a sign pointing to the cemetery, called "". The cemetery of the white settlers is near by.