[3] Their children were: David, Keziah and Susanna, Huldah, Abigail, Cynthia, John, and Oliver Ames Sr.[2] His brother, Sylvanus Ames, was a Harvard educated Episcopal Methodist priest who served as the rector of Trinity church in Taunton, MA, and died in 1778 while serving with the continental army at Valley Forge.
"[2] The remains of his trip hammer stone and man-made weirs and dams can be seen at War Memorial Park (West Bridgewater, Massachusetts).
In December 1776, the Militia was sent to Newport, Rhode Island, to try to prevent British troops from securing a stronghold.
In June 1778, they returned to Newport to assist a French fleet in attacks against the British but were sent home after 24 days when the Continental Army under Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette did not arrive.
John's son, David Ames (born 1760),[3] was appointed by George Washington to be the first head of the Springfield Armory.