William Burkett (d. 1792) was a resident of Bertie County and for a time, a justice of the peace. In 1777 he became a member of the Gourd Patch Conspiracy when he went to Absolem Leggett and inquired about becoming involved in the plot, the only man to request to join the organization rather than being recruited. When the plot was discovered, he then informed on it, providing testimony as evidence of Leggett's involvement. Later in 1779 some citizens of Bertie County submitted a petition to the North Carolina General Assembly on his behalf, requesting that he not be drafted into the militia because he had been a member of the conspiracy and later informed against it. It does not appear that Burket served in the militia.