**early life and training** robert peckham, a prominent figure in american folk art, was born on september 10, 1785, in petersham, massachusetts. little is known about his childhood, but it is documented that he married ruth sawyer of boston in 1813. this union led to the birth of nine children, prompting the family's relocation to westminster in 1821. peckham's brief artistic training consisted of a few months under ethan allen greenw…