The ancestor of all the Bourne families of Wells and Kennebunk, John Bourne (1708-1788) was a major shipbuilder and prominent citizen. He enslaved Salem and Pompey. He had sold Pompey to Benjamin Littlefield by 1768.

"John Bourne owned one [an enslaved person] by the name of Salem. He was always called Salem Bourne. He had another called Pompey. He was very kindly treated, and his soul responded affectionately to the kind feelings of the family. He was married to Elizabeth Miles in 1778. He dressed in a short jacket and trowsers[sic] made of moose-skin, a fabric of a texture somewhat more durable than would be coveted by the taste of the current age. Pompey was a bold and daring adventurer, and did not die without leaving his mark in the world. He was an excellent sailor, and much distinguished as a gunner. He was one of the kindest men in the world, and it was said that in consequence of his goodness of heart, his mistress spoiled him by over-indulgence. His master finally thought it best to dispose of him, and he was sold to Benjamin Littlefield. In an evil hour his religion failed him. He stole a sheep in Kittery, was imprisoned for his offense; and to pay prison charges, he was sold and carried off to the West Indies." Bourne, p. 409

Note that while Bourne wrote that Pompey marrried in 1778, the actual date was 1768. Pompey was described in the marriage record as "Negro Servant to Mr Benjamin Littlefield," so Bourne had sold Pompey to Littlefield prior to the marriage date,December 6, 1768.

John Bourne "was of very industrious habits, never suffering himself to be idle. A great many vessels of all sizes were built by him, on the Webhannet, Mousam and Kennebunk rivers. He continued in the business more than fifty years. Most of his sons were educated to the same profession....He was also a captain of the militia, and was distinguished by that title, one of the selectmen of the town, and a member of the Congregational church." Bourne, p. 542

"He married Mary Cousens of Wells in 1727, and she died in 1776. He then married Mrs. Mary Langdon, a widow, from Portsmouth in 1777. His house was simple, while she was accustomed to "the luxuries of high life, and coming to Wells she brought with her three servants, a male and two females, necessary appendages of the style of living to which she had been accustomed....She lived in this grand style a few years. A large proportion of the earnings of his diligent life was soon squandered. He was obliged to sell off his lands to meet her expenditures, and when his property was so far reduced that they could no longer be sustained, she left with her servants and returned to Portsmouth." Bourne, p. 542

"John Bourne was the ancestor of all the Bourne families in Wells and Kennebunk. By his first wife he had the following children: Mary, John, Benjamin, John, Joanna, Samuel, Joseph, Abraham, Abigail, Isaac, Lucy and Hepsibah. The first John died in infancy, the second in youth." Bourne, p. 543

Bibliography:

The History of Wells and Kennebunk from the Earliest Settlement to the Year 1820 - by Edward Bourne (1875)