Artist.  He was born in Massachusetts but moved with his family to Staatsburg, New York when he was a young child.  He returned to Massachusetts settling in Worcester where he was a successful furniture and carriage painter.  It was here that he began to experiment with painting portraits, specializing in miniatures.  In 1795 he moved to Albany, New York where he opened a sign painting and portrait painting business.  His enterprise rapidly grew and he soon became known as one of the nation’s most talented portrait painters. During his thirty year career he painted more than five hundred works of art.  Many of his portraits were of New York politicians including Vice President  George Clinton  and Governor  Dewitt Clinton . He also painted famous portraits of  Gouverneur Morris and   George Washington   (after  Gilbert Stuart). (bio by: Bigwoo)  Family links:  Parents:  Jesse Eames (1739 – 1829)  Bettey Eames (____ – 1776)  Spouse:  Zipporah Wood Ames (1775 – 1836)*  Children:  Marcia Lucretia Ames James (1798 – 1886)*  Julius Rubens Ames (1801 – 1850)*  Angelo Ames (1804 – 1886)* *Calculated relationship