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He was born on May 16, 1822 in New York, United States, the son of Jane Milner, who, shortly after his birth, was listed in New York City directories as "widow. " Nothing is known of his father.
He spent his youth in the home of his maternal grandmother, a woman of wealth.
He was provided with a good education by his grandmother. In 1840 he graduated from New York University.
After graduation in 1840, he spent several years abroad. While in France he became an officer in the French army under Louis Philippe, who is said to have made him a knight of the "Legion of the Stranger. " With the fall of Louis Philippe in 1848 he returned to New York, but an adventurous spirit still dominated him, and probably toward the close of 1850 he joined the force which Narciso Lopez was collecting in the United States to lead against Cuba. Barely escaping capture when Lopez was taken prisoner, Picton sought refuge from his enemies in the steamer Palmero, which was pursued by a Spanish man-of-war.
He finally succeeded in reaching New York and for a few years busied himself in journalistic pursuits. But the preparations which William Walker was making for the invasion of Nicaragua once more aroused his filibustering instincts, and he attached himself to Walker's force, becoming for a time paymaster in the General's army. After the shooting of Walker he returned to the United States and with the outbreak of the Civil War raised a company of soldiers which was later incorporated in the 38th New York Infantry, but Picton himself seems to have played no part in the war.
Picton's career as a journalist began as early as 1850 when for a short time he edited in conjunction with his teacher and friend, Henry William Herbert ("Frank Forester"), a periodical called the Era. He had already become associated with Edward Z. C. Judson ("Ned Buntline").
During his years as a journalist, he was also connected with the True National Democrat, the Sunday Dispatch, and the Sunday Mercury. He frequently wrote under the pseudonym of "Paul Preston. " Among his publications so designated were Paul Preston's Book of Gymnastics: or Sports for Youth and The Fireside Magician (1870).
His interest in the history of old New York led to the publication in 1873 of a small pamphlet called Rose Street; Its Past, Present, and Future.
During his later years he contributed to the Clipper; Turf, Field, and Farm; and the Spirit of the Times. For the last-named periodical he wrote a series of articles, beginning with the issue of February 19, 1881, called "Reminiscences of a Sporting Journalist. " These articles, which appeared intermittently until a short time before his death, dealt with sporting, social, and historical topics having reference to the New York of Picton's youth and early manhood.
He died in New York City.
Thomas Picton was well-known as an active member of the organization of the Native American movement, he became an editor of the Sachem, the founder of the True American, both organs of the new movement. He also contributed a biographical sketch of Henry Herbert to the Life and Writings of Frank Forester (1882). Among his more creative efforts were two light dramas: A Tempest in a Teapot, and There's No Smoke Without Fire.
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About 1860 he married a Miss Gardner, daughter of a Confederate officer of that name, but a few years later the couple separated.
