James Holles was a resident of Tyrrell County. In the summer of 1777 he swore two oaths and became a member of the Gourd Patch Conspiracy. When the plot was discovered, he made a sworn deposition before the justices of the peace for Tyrrell County testifying about his knowledge of the conspiracy. He later appeared on a list of witnesses at the Edenton District Court of Oyer & Terminer who could provide evidence against John Everett.