Written on back of photo in pencil - Saltprings School, Pictou Co c 1885

Written on back of photo in ink - Owned by J H M O S which according to the donator stands for John Hector MacKenzie of Saltsprings.

John Hector and all his siblings would have attended the school, their ages ranged from birth of 1862 - 1877.  John Hector was a twin of William Murdoch MacKenzie, presumably they would have been seated in the front row, but his siblings - Kenneth, Jessie, Alexander, Daniel, Samuel, Mary and the twins - John & William (Bill) would all have attended the shool.  In fact it is supposed their Uncle Kenneth, our great grandfather Murdoch Junior, his children, Cassie, Mary, Kenneth & Murdoch Junior may have attended as well.  John Hector went to the Canadian West in his early life, drove a stagecoach from Keremoes, BC while working for Welby's organization.  He also worked as a stonemason, as did his elder brother, Samuel, whose work my be seen in several cemeteries where he wrote "S MacKenzie" in script.  John Hector was an excellent teamster, and drove many teams in the woods, many times for the well known Reg Anderson of Central West River.  John H died in 1949 of a heart attack in 1949 at his home in Central West River. 

The Salt Springs school constructed in 1806's had eight sides.  The girls entrance was on one side and the boys on the other.