James Sherrard was a resident of Martin County. A large landholder, in 1774 he became the inspector of merchantable commodities for the county. In 1777 he became a ringleader in the Gourd Patch Conspiracy, with several members later making depositions stating that Sherrard recruited them and had them swear oaths in order to become involved in the plot. He later appeared on a list of witnesses at the Edenton District Court of Oyer and Terminer prepared to testify against John Lewellen. His testimony likely revolved around the fact that Lewellen told Sherrard that they have may to violently oppose the heads of the new state government, a statement which would be a key piece of evidence in demonstrating that Lewellen was guilty of treason.