Born in Cornwall, Vermont, Peck was the ninth of eleven children born to Jacob Peck, a farmer and blacksmith, and his wife, Elizabeth. His ancestors were settlers of New Haven, Connecticut. There is no record that he ever studied art, but there is evidence that he had access to instruction books in the library of the Cornwall Young Gentleman's Society, founded in 1804. Peck painted in Cornwall from 1820 to 1827 and settled in Onondaga County, New York, in 1828. He married Harriet Corey of Bridgeport, Vermont, and they had twelve children. In 1836 he abruptly moved his family to Lombard, Illinois, where he became known as an artist, farmer, deacon, school founder, and abolitionist.

Lee Kogan, "Trunk," in Stacy C. Hollander, American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 316.