Thomas was the son of Thomas Prence, a carriage-maker, of Lucedale, Co. Gloucestershire, England. His Puritan family joined the Pilgrim community in Leiden (Holland) in Thomas' youth. He came to America on the ship "Fortune" in 1621 in the twenty-second year of his age with his family.
He went to Plymouth Colony, where he gained prominence and was one of eight colonial "undertakers" who assumed (1627) the colony's debt to the London merchants who had backed the establishment of the colony.
He was chosen Governor, and he served as the fourth Governor of Plymouth Colony from 1634 to 1635, then from 1638 to 1639, and again from 1657 until his death in 1673. Thomas Prence otherwise recorded as Thomas Prince, married Patience Brewster in 1624, the daughter of William Brewster.
Thomas held various offices, including the governorship (1634-35, 1638, 1657-73. As governor, he served with credit through a period of Indian wars and internal religious troubles and was noted for his successful effort to secure public revenues in support of schools. The duties combined with being governor were, Chief Justice, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Speaker of the General Court and Auditor of the Treasury.
Interestingly, a chair of maple and ash made in Plymouth Colony in the late 17th century that belonged to Thomas Prence survived, and has been passed down by his descendants. It is on display at the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth.
After he had served God in the office of Governor sixteen years, he died on March 29, 1673 at the age of 73. "He was a worthy gentleman, very pious, and very able for his office, and faithful in the discharge thereof, studious of peace, a well-willer, to all that feared God, and a terror to the wicked. His death was much lamented, and his body honorably buried at Plymouth. "
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