John Watson, who also used the alias William White, was a laborer in Bladen County, North Carolina. In August 1739 he was arrested for robbery and subsequently broke out of jail before he faced charges. While on the run, Watson teamed up with two enslaved men who agreed to run away with him and attempt to escape into Virginia. Although the two enslaved people continued to make their escape, Watson was captured and he was later indicted both for the original robbery as well as breaking out of jail. Any further records regarding this individual have not been located.