Halpatter Tustenuggee (Alligator Warrior), also known as "Alligator" and "Chief Alligator" was born around 1795? in the Muscogee-Creek country of the current states of Alabama and Georgia; reportedly of Eufaula Creek lineage, he came to Spanish Florida following the Creek War in 1814.[1]
The town of Lake City, Florida, is associated with Halapatter Tustenuggee either because the original Native American settlement called "Halpatter Talofa" (also spelled "Alapata Telophka") which means "Alligator Town" in English, and was named after him or he was named after the aboriginal village.[2] Tustenuggee was the title of the war chief of a tribal town of the Muscogee (Creek), Mikasuki, and Seminole people. Several of the leaders of those people during the Second Seminole War were commonly known by that title.[3]
- ^ Wright, Jr., J. Leitch (1986). Creeks and Seminoles. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 0-8032-4738-9.
- ^ Taylor, George (February 21, 2009). "Alligator Town Marker". George Lansing Taylor Collection Main Gallery. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Mahon, John K. (1985) [1967]. History of the Second Seminole War 1835-1842 (Revised (paperback) ed.). Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida Press. p. 10. ISBN 0-8130-1097-7.