| William Ames | |
| Birth Place: | Somerset, England |
| Death Place: | England |
| Nationality: | English |
| Occupation: | Preacher, Writer |
| Known For: | Early itinerant Quaker preacher, Baptist minister, Officer in the parliamentary army |
| Notable Works: | 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.
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.[1] 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.
He wrote a large number of tracts in Dutch, the titles of which are given in Joseph Smith's Catalogue of Friends' Books.