In 1684 he served as juryman. In 1696-97-98 he held the office of deputy to the General Assembly of Rhode Island. On July 13,1702, he was granted a share of eighteen acres in a division of proprietors' lands. On November 15, 1711, William Peckham was ordained pastor of the First Baptist Church of Newport by Samuel Luther, of Swansea, minister, and Samuel Bullock, of Swansea, deacon. He is supposed to have been the first Baptist minister ordained on this continent. William Peckham married (first)Clarke, daughter of Joseph Clarke. He married (second) Phebe Weeden, who was born in 1660, and died in Middletown, R. I., in 1745, daughter of William Weeden. He died June 2, 1734, and his will was proved July 3, following.