Sir Thomas was knighted in 1579 during the reign of
Elizabeth I. He was from
Feckenham, Worcestershire, England, born to John Leighton of
Wattlesborough and Joyce Sutton, daughter of
Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley. 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. Leighton served as Member of Parliament for
Worcestershire in 1601. He died in Guernsey. ==Family==