Thomas Leigh (1594/5 - 1672), landowner and politician

Thomas was the eldest son of Sir John Leigh of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire and Ursula. His mother was the daughter of Sir Christopher Hoddesdon, of Leighton Buzzard. His grandfather was Sir Thomas Leigh.

Thomas was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford and matriculated in 1608. He married on the 11th November 1610 to Mary Egerton, who was the daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Egerton. As a result of their long marriage the couple had a total of five sons and six daughters.

On his grandfather's death in 1626, Thomas became second baronet and inherited the estates at Soneleigh, Warwickshire, Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire and Leighton Buzzard. He was admitted to the Warwickshire bench in 1626, but excused himself from service. He represented Warwickshire in the parliament 1628-9 and was a leading figure in the county in the 1630s. In 1636-7 he served as sheriff.

During the Civil War period he remained faithfull to King Charles I, and on the 1st July 1643 he was made Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh. In October 1644 he was captured by Sir Thomas Middleton, but was rescued by his own party. He subsequently paid £4895 in composition to parliament for his estate.

His youngest son Ferdinand died in 1655, and his eldest son, Thomas in 1662.

Thomas Leigh died on the 22nd February 1672, and was buried at Stoneleigh alongside his wife who had died in 1669. The majority of his estate was left to his grandson Thomas, the son of Thomas by his second wife Jane, daughter of Patrick Fitzmaurice, Lord Kerry. His surviving eldest son Charles was established at Leighton Buzzard. (see also the will of Thomas Leigh)