How did England's governance of its American colonies change over time?

There wasn't very much change. The British Crown never really extended its control over the colonies through any direct governance. The colonists overreacted to a series of new taxes and, as a result, revolted.

In the 17th century, individual colonies had the freedom to choose their own style of government mimicking the diversity of the colonies. By the 18th century, the cost of running colonies led the British Parliament to start governing its colonies more directly, leading to feelings of unease among the colonists.

In the 17th century, the British Parliament ruled directly, dictating many of the actions of the colonists. But over time, they loosened restrictions, allowing the colonists more freedom in action and thought which eventually led to the colonists to discover new ideas that would guide them toward the revolution.

There wasn't very much change. The British Crown maintained direct control over colonial governance from beginning to end. What changed was just how much the colonists were taxed.