Aside from the exactions of a large practice, Perley found time to indulge his native literary taste in various directions, and as a writer, he was clear, forcible, and versatile – the gamut of his efforts including works on subjects of law, history, genealogy, and poetry.

During the last fifteen years devoting leisure hours to his work, he has searched the Salem records in quest of the original houselots, thoroughfares, and water boundaries.

He was also interested in ancient court files and records of deeds and/or wills of materials for the ample and accurate genealogies, which are published in the Essex Antiquarian, of which he is editor and one of the founders.

A quarterly magazine devoted to genealogy, biography, history, and antiquities of Essex County, is now in its twelfth year and the survivor of nearly all publications of the same general character.

At one time he was regarded as the leading man of the prohibition party in Essex County, and stood as its candidate for the office of attorney-general of Massachusetts, member of the governor's council, clerk of courts and Senator.