William Ames (Quaker)

William Ames
Born
Somerset, England
Died
England
NationalityEnglish
Occupation(s)Preacher, Writer
Known forEarly itinerant Quaker preacher, Baptist minister, Officer in the parliamentary army
Notable workLarge number of tracts in Dutch

William Ames (died 1662) was an early English itinerant Quaker preacher and writer. He joined the Quakers in 1655 at Dublin, having been a Baptist minister in Somerset, and afterwards an officer in the parliamentary army. He settled at Amsterdam in 1657, where he was tolerated, though once confined for a short time as a lunatic. Ames zealously preached to the Collegiants, and although initially in accord, they later fell out. He traveled in Germany and was favorably received by Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine. Ames returned to England in 1662, was sent to Bridewell prison for attending a Quaker meeting, and died before the end of the year.