William Ames (Quaker)

For the Puritan, see William Ames.

William Ames
Born	Somerset, England
Died	England
Nationality	English
Occupation(s)	Preacher, Writer
Known for	Early itinerant Quaker preacher, Baptist minister, Officer in the parliamentary army
Notable work	Large 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.

Life

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 they were initially in accord although later they fell out. He travelled in Germany, and was favourably received by Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine. He returned to England in 1662, was sent to Bridewell for attending a Quaker meeting, and died before the end of the year.

Works

He wrote a large number of tracts in Dutch, the titles of which are given in Joseph Smith's Catalogue of Friends' Books.

See also

• The Light upon the Candlestick

Sources

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Ames, William (d.1662)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

External links

• Works by William Ames at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)