Father owned big engineering firm in NYC area.
Ames were originally from Halifax. Two bothers, officers in British Navy, jumped ship around revolutionary times.
Branch of Ames went on wagon train to Texas. Wrote back periodically. Word came back East of an Indian massacre. Texas Ames were not heard from again. There was a rumor that a son survived and became a renegade; he was recognized by someone who had known him.
All from Charlotte.
But note that census says his parents were born in England.