Leigh, Thomas, 1st Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh (1596 -1672)

Sir Thomas Leigh, 2nd Baronet of Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, was the eldest son and heir of Sir John Leigh, and Ursula, eldest daughter of Sir Christopher Hoddesdon, and grandson of Sir Thomas Leigh, 1st Baronet (d. 1626). Knighted by James I, he was Member of Parliament for Warwick 1628 1629, and High Sheriff of Warwick 1636 1637. A staunch supporterof Charles I, he entertained Charles I at Stoneleigh when the gates of Coventry were shut against the king in 1642. He was created Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh 1 July 1643. He married, about 1615, Mary, daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Egerton, eldest son of Thomas, 1st Baron Ellesmere, Lord Chancellor of England. He died 22 February 1672. The Barony became extinct on the death of Edward, 5th Baron Leigh 4 June 1786, and Stoneleigh passed to his cousin James Henry Leigh of Adlestrop. Part of the library of William Henry Leigh, 2nd Baron Leigh (of the new creation) was sold at auction by Puttick and Simpson 14 December 1886.