In the early part of the seventeenth century the Ames family became prominently identified with the Puritan movement in England.  William Ames, the divine and author, was among those who for conscience’s sake forsook his home, finding refuge in Holland.  He became known to fame not only as an able writer, but as Professor in the Franeker University.  Richard Ames was a gentleman of Bruton, Somersetshire, England.  Neither of these cast in their fortunes with the first Puritan settlers of Massachusetts; but it is doubtful if the sufferings for conscience’s sake of those who remained behind were after all less rigorous than were the sufferings of those who, self-exiled, sought homes in New England.  The two branches of the family were united by marriage and from them descended the Honorable Oliver Ames, Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Ames family commence their genealogical tree with the first New
England ancestor, William Ames, son of Richard Ames of Bruton,
Somersetshire, who came to this country in 1635, and settled in
Braintree in 1638.  A few years later he was joined by his brother, John
Ames, who settled in Bridgewater.

John Ames, only son of William Ames, was born in Braintree in 1651; married Sarah Willis, daughter of John Willis; and in 1672 settled in Bridgewater with his uncle, John Ames, who was childless, and whose heir he became in 1697.  He had five sons, one of whom was Nathaniel, the grandfather of Fisher Ames.  His estate was settled in 1723.

Thomas Ames, fourth, son of John and Sarah (Willis) Ames, was born in Bridgewater in 1682:  married in 1706 Mary Hayward, daughter of Joseph Hay ward.

Thomas Ames, eldest son of Thomas and Mary (Hayward) Ames, was born in Bridgewater in 1707; married in 1731 Keziah Howard, daughter of Jonathan Howard; and died in 1774.

Captain John Ames, second son of Thomas and Keziah (Howard) Ames, was born in Bridgewater in 1738:  married in 1759 Susannah Howard, daughter of Ephraim Howard.  He was a commissioned officer during the war of the Revolution.  A blacksmith by trade he also rendered the patriot cause service by the manufacture of guns.  His account book, still in existence, also proves that he was engaged in the manufacture of shovels in 1775.

Oliver Ames, third son of Captain John and Susannah (Howard) Ames, was born in West Bridgewater April 11, 1779.  For a number of years he was employed at Springfield in the manufacture of guns by his brother, David Ames, who was the first superintendent of the armory, appointed by President Washington; and as early as 1800 was engaged in the manufacture of shovels.  In 1803 he married Susannah Angier, a descendant of President Urian Oakes of Harvard College, and the same year he removed to Easton where greater facilities were afforded for carrying on his business.  At first his goods found an outlet to markets at Newport, Rhode Island, and at Boston; and a one-horse vehicle