Thomas Bourne was in his fifties when he came to New England with his wife and family. That he was a man of some standing in the community is shown by the fact that he was consistently referred to as "Mr." and described as a "gentleman."

Thomas came to Plymouth Colony where he was admitted a freeman on 2 January 1637/8. On 4 December 1637, Thomas Bourne and Josiah Winslow were each granted 100 acres at Green Harbor, with the understanding that the farms were to be part of the town of Plymouth. However, by 1640, the area was organized as a separate town, first by the name of Rexham, and finally by the name of Marshfield.

In August of 1645, Thomas Bourne was one of a dozen men of Marshfield, MA to offer to pay ten shillings a year toward the schoolteacher's salary, over and above the regular charges for their children. On 1 June 1647, Thomas was appointed supervisor of highways. He was a deputy to the General Court, 1642 to 1645, and was an assistant to Gov. Winslow.

Thomas and his first wfie, Elizabeth Bourne, had eight children, places and dates of birth not known accurately:

• John, b. in England, ca. 1615; m. Alice Bisbee.
• Thomas.
• Joseph.
• Martha, m. John Bradford, son of Gov. Bradford.
• Elizabeth, m. (1) Robert Waterman; m. (2) Thomas Tilden.
• Ann, m. Nehemiah Smith, who was one of the early settlers of Norwich, CT.
• Margaret, m. Josiah Winslow, brother fo Gov. Winslow.
• Lydia, m. Nathaniel Tilden.

John Bourne was appointed executor of his father's estate. The will of Thomas Bourne stated, "I Doe heerby Declare my son John Bourne to bee my haire and I Doe give unto him all my lands and housing that are upon my lands that is neare hand or further Remote layed out or to be layed out to mee." From this, we assume that John and Alice lived their lives in Marshfield, MA.

John and his wife Alice (Bisbee) Bourne had seven children, all born in Marshfield, MA:

• Elizabeth, b. 31 May 1646; m. Josiah Bent.
• Thomas, b. 22 Oct. 1647; m. Elizabeth Rouse.
• Alice, b. 4 March 1649; m. John Mann.
• Anna, b. 2 Nov. 1651; m. John Bailey.
• Martha, b. 4 April 1653; m. Valentine Decrow.
• May, b. 5 June 1660.
• Sarah, b. 19 Oct. 1663.