John Everett was a resident of Tyrrell County. Both his uncle John and his grandfather Nathan were named as members of the Gourd Patch Conspiracy, but he was never indicated as being part of the plot. In 1778 he served as the security for several other men who were identified as members of the plot and had to testify about their involvement before the Edenton District Court of Oyer and Terminer. In 1780 he may have also served as a private in the Tyrrell County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia.