John Clifton was a resident of Anson County. According to his later deposition in the Bertie County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, Clifton was first approached by William Tyler and John Staten, two members of the Gourd Patch Conspiracy in May 1777 who brought him to James Rawlings. Rawlings introduced the plot to Clifton and made him swear to keep it a secret. The next day he met with John Lewellen, who had him swear another oath, promising to keep the conspiracy a secret, to oppose the state's military draft, to join the British troops should they arrive in the area, to help pay a lay reader to promote Protestant teachings, and to try to recruit more members for the plot back in Anson County. Fearful for his life, Clifton agreed, but did not pursue a relationship with the plot and its conspirators any further, eventually confessing his knowledge of the plot later that July.