Return Jonathan Meigs, Sr. (1740-1823), American Revolution Colonel, was a founding settler of Ohio and Indian Agent in Tennessee. His son, Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr. (1764-1824) served as Governor of Ohio and US Postmaster General. Both were members of American Union Lodge 1 in Ohio. The elder served as Master in 1801. He was the son of Return Meigs and grandson of Jana Meigs, both with an unknown Masonic status. Their unusual names came from Grandpa Jana's frustrations in pursuing the woman who ultimately became his wife, Hannah Willard. Hanna was a Puritan who refused to marry Jana on many occasions. Jana gave it one final try and upon being refused again, gave up and mounted his horse to ride off. At that, Hannah, realizing she was losing him forever, called out, "Return, Jana, return!" Jana did return and the couple was married May 16, 1698. Jana said when she cried out to him, "Return" was the sweetest word he had ever heard, and named his son Return in honor of it, the name being passed down afterward.
Note: There are a few variations of this story, all of which claim Jana's name was Johnathan with Hanna (sometimes referred to as a Quaker), calling "Return, Johnathan, return!" The former story, however, comes directly from the Meigs family, which has records verifying its accuracy.
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