Robert Peckham (artist)

[1] A man of strong moral beliefs, he was a promoter of temperance and an ardent opponent of slavery.

[2] His outspoken advocacy on this issue caused a rift with his church, due to what they felt was overzealousness on his part and, when his wife died in 1842, he resigned his position; although he would continue to be called "Deacon" for the remainder of his life.

[2] His painting career began in 1809, when he took some lessons from Ethan Allen Greenwood, making him one of the few folk artists with any record of formal studies.

In 1815, he and his brother Samuel placed an advertisement in the Hampshire Gazette, offering their services for "House, sign and ornamental painting.

An advertisement in the Massachusetts Spy from 1834 announced the opening of his portrait painting business.