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Biographical Description

Hagler (died 1763) was a chieftain of the Catawba from about 1750 to 1763. Also known by his contemporaries as Arataswa or Haigler, British colonial officials often referred to him as King Hagler. During the French and Indian War, he militarily supported the British, but his first priority was to halt the European colonists who were trying to encroach onto Catawba lands. Hagler frequently addressed the topic of European encroachment into Catawba lands with Governor Arthur Dobbs, as well as his counterparts in Virginia and South Carolina.

In 1756, Hagler negotiated for North Carolina to build a fort for the Catawba where they could protect their wives and children while the men were off during the war, but in 1757 he rescinded the request, preferring that officials from South Carolina build it instead. In 1760, he helped negotiate for a 15-square-mile tract for the Catawba people along the contested border between North and South Carolina. This reservation was not formally established until the Treaty of Augusta in November 1763, because, among other reasons, Dobbs delayed, wanting instead to reduce the reservation to a smaller size. Hagler did not live to see its signing. In August 1763, while en route home from a trip, Hagler was ambushed and shot by a group of Shawnee warriors.

For more information and links to resources, please see our editorial statement on American Indian terminology.

As Recipient

Currently there are no documents available where this individual is the recipient.