The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

ROSS, Alexander (1810-1888) and (first wife) Caroline (c. 1810-1866) and (second wife) Melissa S. (1832-1915)

A blacksmith and farmer, Alexander Ross settled in Oswego County, New York, about 1834. He shared in the Millerite disappointment of 1844 and subsequently became a Sabbathkeeper, although the exact date is unknown. It probably predated August 1848, when Ross, according to J. N. Loughborough's account, attended the Volney Conference. 1EGWLM 884.2

Ross had leadership potential, and there are indications in the Review that he did some lay preaching and was influential in his local church at Roosevelt. However, Ellen White's testimonies to Alexander Ross indicate personal and spiritual difficulties, which thwarted his potential. Among the problems mentioned were his reliance on “dreams and impressions,” indifference to health reform, and a prolonged feud with his brother, Manley Ross, which had been “a reproach to the cause of God.” Ross had also publicly embarrassed the church by his open support for the pro-slavery South in the early stages of the Civil War. He later retracted his position and expressed regret, but the damage had already been done. 1EGWLM 884.3

Caroline Ross died in 1866, having “made no outward profession of religion,” according to her obituary, although during her last year she had “become more in favor with the cause of present truth.” Melissa, Alexander's second wife, joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the early 1860s. There are reports in the Review that she was an able speaker, especially on prophetic topics. Nevertheless, Ellen White did not encourage either Melissa or Alexander Ross to go on speaking tours of Adventist churches, but if anything, to venture to reach the unchurched. Whether Melissa Ross took offense at the 1872 testimony is not known, but her obituary states that “for some years she was not in perfect harmony with the people of God on the question of the spirit of prophecy,” although “before her death she expressed confidence in the Testimonies.” 1EGWLM 884.4

See: Obituary: “Alexander Ross,” Review, June 12, 1888, p. 383; obituary: “[Wife of] A. Ross,” Review, Oct. 30, 1866, p. 175; obituary: “Melissa S. Ross,” Review, Dec. 2, 1915, p. 22; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Caroline Ross,” New York, Oswego County, Schroeppel, p. 268; J. N. Loughborough, “Recollections of the Past—No. 12,” Review, Mar. 3, 1885, p. 138; Alex. Ross, “From Bro. Ross,” Review, Apr. 21, 1863, p. 167; search terms “A. Ross” and “Alexander Ross” in Review and Herald online collection, www.adventistarchives.org; R. O. Damon, “Adams Center, N.Y.,” Review, Nov. 21, 1871, p. 182; Ellen G. White, Ms 2, 1856 (May 27); Lt 24, 1862 (c. 1862); Testimony to the Church (PH159) (1872), pp. 78, 79, 81-84, 87. 1EGWLM 884.5