Drew Family from Walpole As It Was and As It Is (1880)

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Surname: DREW
Source: Walpole As It Was and As It Is by George Aldrich, 
        The Claremont Manufacturing Co., Claremont, N.H., 1880, pages 238-241

DREW. The subject of this sketch Thomas Collins Drew, was, some respects, one of the most 
remarkable men who ever lived in town. With a keen edge to perceive, an active brain to analyze, 
energy to pursue and firmness of will to hold, he never had an equal during his active life. Of his 
parentage and childhood nothing is known, except that he was born, in 1762, in Chester, a small town 
near Londonderry, in this State from whence a small colony early came to this town, in 1793-5. A man 
living in Londonderry, by the name of McNeal, wanting a boy to bring up, sought one in the almshouse 
at Portsmouth, and, from the large number found there, he selected Tom, he being the most sprightly 
looking lad, according to his notions. The customary documents were drawn up, binding the services of 
young Drew to McNeal to the time of his majority. Young Drew immediately set out with his future 
guardian for Londonderry, and, in due time arrived, and remained for a while, not feeling perfectly 
contented to remain in a dull, lonely town, while away was excitement incident to the Revolutionary war, 
which was then pending and was better suited to his ardent nature. Accordingly, at then first opportunity 
he left his quiet home, sans ceremonie, and did not return till the Revolutionary struggle was over. He 
had about eighteen months longer, then, to serve McNeal, but he had no use for him. Wm. T. Ramsey, 
being in Londonderry at that time, and in want of help on his purchase in Walpole, bought the remainder 
of Young Drew’s time for a pair of old stags, when soon after Drew made his advent in Walpole, and 
served out his time on Derry Hill with Ramsey. During his stay he was full of all kinds of harmless 
mischief. Occasionally his master would send him to a gristmill that stood near where Geo. W. Graves 
now lives, and after his leaving, the miller would always find some parts of his mill out of gear, and 
would exclaim, "I would as soon see the d---l coming to my mill as Tom Drew!" When he became free 
he employed his time in doing any odd jobs that might by chance turn up, where he could gain an honest 
penny.
About this time he attended a dancing school at the Craft’s tavern (now Chas. G. Maynard’s) where he 
met his future wife, who was a sister of one Joshua Quinton, (Quintaine) a clothier, doing business in a 
mill that once stood on what is called, at this time, Blanchard’s brook. Mr. Quinton was a proud man 
and had a laudable pride for his sister, who was his housekeeper, whom he used to bring to the dancing 
school. Drew and his future wife were mutually smitten, and Mr. Quinton too soon learned that his sister 
was clandestinely married to Thomas C. Drew. Mr. Quinton thereby losing his housekeeper. Nor was 
this all, he felt disgusted and grieved at the course his sister had taken in marrying a town pauper, so 
much so that he sold out his business and left town never to return to live. Drew and his wife spent their 
honeymoon in a little house that once stood just in front of the residence of Mrs. Ephraim Holland and 
was known as the Parson Mead house. Drew is next heard from in Rockingham, Vt., speculating in 
"Great Lands," then in Canada, buying and selling wild lands there, and speculating in anything that might 
chance to turn up. When he was married, he could neither read nor write; both of which were taught 
him by his wife. In 1800, he espoused the political doctrines of Thomas Jefferson, who was that year 
elected president of the United States, and was one of five who established and maintained the "Political 
Observatory" here, which has heretofore been mentioned.
At one time he was Col. of the 20th Reg. of N. H. militia. In 1802, he was elected a member of the 
General Court, and again in 1804, ‘5 ‘7, ‘8, and ‘9, he was elected Councilor from this district two 
years and was nominated for the State senate but was defeated. In middle life he held many offices of 
honor and trust, being at one time the most popular man in town. Mr. Drew had a tall, commanding 
figure, square face, high forehead and a large, straight cut mouth. He was a great talker and at town 
meetings he always made it a point to ‘air his eloquence.’ It was a rare treat to hear Col. Drew and 
Henry Foster discuss the momentous questions that arose town meeting days. Drew generally threw 
down the gauntlet which was immediately picked up by Foster, and no greater incentive was needed to 
call the voters out than the set-to’s of Drew and Foster. Foster was a hard speaker, but he was logical 
and persistent beyond measure, while Drew was eloquent and persuasive. That a boy who could neither 
read nor write at the age of twenty-one could made his advent in the then cultivated town of Walpole, 
and by his own energy and perseverance secure the suffrages of the people for so many offices over 
those "to the manor born," and perpetuate his name in the name of the village where he resided, 
(Drewsville) argues that Thomas Collins Drew was more than an ordinary man. Ch.
I. Charles Collins, b. July 13, 1807, d. unm.
II. Francis Gardner, b. Feb. 22, 1809; m. --- Hartwell of Langdon; d. without issue, Feb. 27, 
l872.
III. Sarah Eliza, b. 1796; d. Sept. 14, 1870; m. first Dr. Joseph Bond, and had two sons, 1st, 
Josiah, born at Drewsville, N.H., graduated at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., read law and 
commenced practice at Kenosha, Wis., where he now resides; 2d, Thomas D., b. at 
Drewsville, married and resides at the same place with his brother. Dr. Bond died at Drewsville, 
July 7th, 1832, aged 43. His widow married Hope Lathrop (See Lathrop.) Mrs. Lathrop, when 
a child, was noticed as one possessing more than ordinary grace, intelligence and sprightliness of 
character. In mature years she manifested many of the qualities peculiar to her father, a strong 
will and resolute mind. She was a devoted Episcopalian in sentiment, and for many years a 
"mother in Israel" to St. Peter’s Church at Drewsville.