William Skiles (d. 1820) was a planter in Bertie County. In 1777 he took three oaths of secrecy and became a member of the Gourd Patch Conspiracy. While a member, Absolem Leggett disclosed several details of the plot to Skiles, including the names of some prominent members, the extent of the plot, their plans to kill several county and state officials, and the membership's secret signs. Skiles later appeared on a list of witnesses prepared to give evidence against Absolem Leggett before the Edenton District Court of Oyer & Terminer when all the leading members of the plot went on trial in the fall of 1777.