Samuel Ames was born in Providence, Rhode Island on September 6, 1806.

[1] He was educated at Philips Academy Andover and Brown University, graduating from the latter in 1823.

A few years later Ames was admitted to the Rhode Island bar, and became prominent in public affairs.

In 1853, Ames was elected to represent his state in the adjustment of the boundary between Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

He succeeded William R. Staples as chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, serving from 1856 to 1865, when he resigned due to poor health.