General Francis Leighton (1696 – 9 June 1773) was a general of the British Army.
He was born the fourth son and ninth child of Sir Edward Leighton, 1st Baronet, of Wattlesborough in Shropshire. He entered the Army as a captain on 16 June 1716. In 1730 he transferred from major of Barrell's Regiment of Foot to major of Handasyd's Regiment of Foot, and on 6 July 1737 was promoted lieutenant-colonel of Blakeney's Regiment of Foot. During the Jacobite rising of 1745 Leighton was sent with a considerable force from Perth to hold the outpost of Castle Menzies. He was promoted colonel of the 32nd Regiment of Foot on 1 December 1747, major-general on 5 February 1757, lieutenant-general on 6 April 1759 and general on 25 May 1772.
Leighton died on 9 June 1773. By his wife, the former Miss Pinfold, he had a son, who died young, and two daughters: Charlotte, who died unmarried in 1820, and Frances, who was married on 16 May 1783 to Sir Hew Whitefoord Dalrymple, 1st Baronet.
References
- ^ William Courthope ed., Debrett's Baronetage of England (London, 1835) pp. 149-50.
- ^ J. H. Leslie, "An English Army List of 1740" in Notes & Queries, 12th series, no. 51 (London, 16 December 1916) p. 482.
- ^ G. C. Swiney ed., Historical Records of the 32nd (Cornwall) Light Infantry (London and Devonport, 1893) pp. 320-1.
- "No. 6917". The London Gazette. 12–15 September 1730. p. 1.
- "No. 8698". The London Gazette. 1–5 December 1747. p. 1.
- "No. 9661". The London Gazette. 12–15 February 1757. p. 3.
- "No. 9924". The London Gazette. 15–21 August 1759. p. 2.
- "No. 11251". The London Gazette. 23–26 May 1772. p. 2.