Stephen Ross, Poem, , St. Louis Co., MO, to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 15 Jan. 1844; handwriting probably of Stephen Ross; docket in handwriting of ; three pages; JS Office Papers, CHL. Includes address block and postal markings.
Page [3]
I now work hard both night and Day
And Just keep up and pay my way
So now I want to know if you
Think I can live up in
It’s my Desire and my will
To Spend my Days on Zions hill
But this complaint I have to make
Of city Zions Stake
Since I have left my native home
there’s no man there to fill my room
The Saints are Scattered here and there
And no presiding officer
Though () was there the night
I Asked to go, he said I might
And he to them would Soon return
But never has as I Since learnd
My friends all wish me to come Back
And Send me word to that effect
And tell me if I will come home
I Shall have money for to come
My Mother is a mormon too
But cannot get out to
Because her husband wont adhere
To anything she Does Declare
She has much trouble to Surmount
And wories much on my account
Besides she has brought Sickness on
In grieving much about her Son
I wish you now to write and Say
Weather I Shall go or Stay
As I Dont want the Journy twice
Without first having your advice
I want to live an upright life
Suport my children and my wife
And always Do the thing thats right
And live and Die a mormonite
Stephen, W, Ross, late presiding Elder over the Branch at Newark New Jersey— Direct to me [p. [3]]