RETURN JONATHAN MEIGS

Meigs County is named in honor of Return Jonathan Meigs. Meigs was born in Middletown Connecticut in 1740. He served in the local militia and became a Colonel in the American Revolutionary Army. In 1801 Meigs went to Tennessee to fill the combined position of agent to the Cherokee Nation and military agent for the U. S. War Department. In 1807 he located these operations to a new post named Hiwassee Garrison about one mile above the park across from the mouth of the Hiwassee River. His role as military agent ended in 1813 when the Federal soldiers were withdrawn. He moved the Agency to a new site on the Hiwassee River at Agency Creek and then to Charleston. He remained as Cherokee agent until his death on January 28, 1823. During his years as Cherokee agent he promoted the well-being of the Cherokees, defended their rights in treaty negotiations, and encouraged Cherokee efforts to establish a republican form off government. He is buried in the Garrison Cemetery in Rhea County near the site of the former Hiwassee Garrison.