Thomas Leighton (governor)
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Sir Thomas Leighton (c. 1530–1610) was an English soldier and politician. He served as the Governor of Guernsey and Jersey from 1570 to 1609.
Life[]
Sir Thomas was knighted in 1579 during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. He was from Feckenham, Worcestershire, England, born to John Leighton of Wattlesborough and Joyce Sutton, daughter of Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley.[1] His brother Sir Edward Leighton (died 1593) was the ancestor of the Leighton baronets of Wattlesborough. The Leightons were among the most influential families in Shropshire, and Edward was the dominant figure in local government in Shropshire in the 1580s.
Leighton was unpopular as governor. He developed the defensive capabilities of Castle Cornet, but to do so he imposed heavy taxes on the islanders. In 1588 he was sent as a diplomat to Henry III of France, and then served at the camp at Tilbury in the defensive moves against the Spanish Armada. For some years from 1595 he employed Thomas Cartwright as chaplain.[1]
Leighton served as Member of Parliament for Worcestershire in 1601. He died in Guernsey.[1]
Family[]
Leighton married Elizabeth Knollys (cousin once removed of Elizabeth I) in 1578. They had two daughters, Elizabeth and Anne Leighton. Anne married Sir John St. John, 1st Baronet of Lidiard-Tregoze[2] The couple also had one son; the father's namesake Thomas Leighton (born 1584), who married Mary, daughter of Edward la Zouche, 11th Baron Zouche.[1]
Daughter Elizabeth married Sherrington Talbot.
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Ogier, D. M. "Leighton, Thomas". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/68015. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ Browning, Charles H. (June 2009). The Magna Charta Barons and Their American Descendants [1898] (Pedigree L). Genealogical Publishing Com, 1 Jun 2009 (page 164) - Originally published in 1898. ISBN 9780806300559. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- 1530 births
- 1610 deaths
- Members of the Parliament of England for Worcestershire
- English knights
- Guernsey people
- English MPs 1601
- 16th-century English people