Meigs, Return Jonathan [key], 1740–1823, American Revolutionary army officer, b. Middletown, Conn. He accompanied Benedict Arnold on the Quebec expedition, where he was taken prisoner and later exchanged (1776). Meigs is best remembered for the expedition he led against the British at Sag Harbor, Long Island, in 1777. After the Revolution he became interested in the Ohio Company of Associates. He later became (1801) Indian agent to the Cherokees. His son, Return Jonathan Meigs, 1764–1825?, American cabinet member, b. Middletown, Conn., also went to Ohio and became prominent in politics there. Meigs served consecutively as Senator from Ohio (1808–10), governor of Ohio (1810–14), and as U.S. Postmaster General (1814–23).
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