William Wallace was a resident of Martin County. In 1777 he became a member of the Gourd Patch Conspiracy where he witnessed John Lewellen speak about violently opposing local officials and urged his followers to gather gunpowder and bullets. Later that year he was listed on a witness list as being able to provide testimony against John Lewellen, William Tyler, and James Hays. In 1778 he signed a bond promising that he would appear before the Edenton District Superior Court in May 1778 to give evidence against James Hays, but he failed to appear. Despite be willing to testify against him, Lewellen later chose Wallace as one of the executors for his will.