She was born around 1593 in Long Marston, Gloucestershire, England, the daughter of John Tomes and Ellen (Gunne) Phelps.

During the escape of Charles II, Tomes sheltered him in his home on the night of 10 September 1651 when the king was a fugitive after the Battle of Worcester.

On 3 November 1634 the court of Star-chamber had asked him to answer in full articles against him charging him with holding puritan tenets.

Welles evaded punishment by proceeding to New England as secretary to William Fiennes, first viscount Saye and Sele, a protector of Nonconformists.

Welles left England with his wife and children, emigrating to the English colonies in North America.

After he and Lord Saye and Sele landed at a fort at the mouth of the Connecticut River (which developed as Saybrook), they traveled to Boston, arriving prior to 9 June 1636.

He joined a party of emigrants in Newtown (now Cambridge) in Massachusetts, among whom were Thomas Hooker and Samuel Stone.

[7] Thomas Welles was first documented in colonial records as head of household in Newton ("Newe Towne", now Cambridge, Massachusetts).