22 Early Settlers

Brudenell. Creed was sent for and took over the duties. A lighthouse was erected and for years this point of land was known as Creed’s Point. It is now know as Wightman’s Point. Creed continued to go to sea and did an immense business between firms in the New England states and ports in Canada, and became immensely wealthy. He had several vessels on the high seas at the time of the American War of Independence. Creed lost his ships, his money was in paper and it was worthless. He may have salvaged one vessel, but he still had property on P.E.I. However, he did get started up again but on a smaller scale. He set up a store where he lived and bought his goods in the New England states and dealt in such goods as tobacco, molasses, liquor, sugar, etc. The former Harbour Master’s name was Higgins. His widow’s former name was Elizabeth Prince. Creed and she became friendly and finally made a trip to the minister. I think this marriage took place about 1785. Three boys were born to William and Elizabeth Creed. JOB, JOSEPH BENNETT

and SAMUEL. Creed was a father to her first husband’s family — a boy and

a girl whose descendants are still on P.E.I. Sickles told the story of how he was captured and sold as a slave most

likely a boy in his early teens. He and others were being chased by white men with their dogs. He hid under a tree. But was spotted by one of his pursuers who pulled him out with a hook. He was then taken to the auction block and sold to the highest bidder who was William Creed. The price paid I don’t know. In later days Sickles was very happy how the whole affair came about. He was a very faithful servant to his master who used him well and gave him his freedom, bought him a farm, got him a colored wife. This was a girl who was a servant working for Governor Farming in Charlottetown. Creed approached Governor Fanning who agreed to the marriage. Several children were born to this union. When the family grew up, whites didn’t care to marry among colored people. One day an epidemic of smallpox broke out in the neighbour’s family. Sickles’ family went in and looked after them. (A dreaded disease at the time, white neighbours hesitated to care for them.) Much to the disgust of Mr. Sickles, some of this white family married the Sickles family. Sickles’ comment was the gulls and crows never mix. One of the girl’s name was Barbara. Better known as Black Barbara, she fell in love with a colored sailor. They became engaged. He was leaving on a sailing vessel, I don’t know where. But on his return the wedding would take place. So he left her his money for safe keeping. She buried the money supposed to be near Creed property. For weeks and months she waited the return of her sweetheart who never did return. Most likely lost at sea. I have no knowledge that Barbara ever did get married. One day she thought she would go and dig up the money,