Her grandfather was the Boston merchant and fur trader Thomas Handasyd Peck, under whom Sturgis apprenticed at age sixteen.

In 1795 Sturgis joined them in ownership of a new ship, the Grand Turk, which was sent to Canton in March 1796.

In 1818, all three were involved in the opium trade as partners in the firm of James P. Sturgis and Company.

From 1790-1796 he was a fire warden; in 1792 he was elected to a committee to assess a smallpox outbreak; and he served as Boston selectman from 1796-1797 and 1799-1802.

Several portraits of Sturgis survive, including three by Gilbert Stuart, painted circa 1806 and in 1822.