WB Nicholas Drewry

 

 Drewry, Nicholas Butt, M.D., has been engaged in active practice as a physician and surgeon of Griffin, Spalding county, for the past forty years and is one of the leading members of his profession ir: this part of the state. He was also engaged in the drug business in Griffin for many years, and during the Civil war was able to render valuable service to the Confederacy through his faithful labors as a surgeon in field and hospital. Dr. Drewry was born in that portion / of Pike county, Ga. , which is now included in Spalding county, Dec. 15, lJi*H°;a son of Edwin and Eliza Jones (Williams; Drewry, the former born at Drewryville, Southampton county, Va., April 6, 1798, and the latter in Hancock county, Georgia. The father of Edwin Drewry was a valiant soldier of the Continental forces during the war of the Revolution, and was a man of influence in his community, the town of Drewryville, Va . , having been named in honor of the family. Doctor Drewry secured his early education in the common schools of his native county, and in October, 1854, was matriculated in Jefferson medical college, of Philadelphia, Pa., later entering the Atlanta medical college, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1855. Thereafter he was engaged in the practice of his profession in Fayette county, Ga., until December, 1859, when he removed to Jonesboro, Clayton county. In December, 1860, he entered Charity hospital and the New Orleans medical college, where he was engaged in post-graduate work until March, 1861. In September of that year he enlisted as a private in Company E, Thirtieth Georgia volunteer infantry, and soon afterward was appointed surgeon, entering service in the field. He was commissioned surgeon, with rank of assistant surgeon, in January, 1863, and was then assigned to hospital duty, in which capacity he served until after the close of the war, at the Medical college hospital, in Atlanta, until June, 1864, and then to February, 1865, was in charge of the distributing hospital at Columbus, Miss. He then returned to the Atlanta medical college hospital where he remained in charge of the wards to care for the soldiery returning from the war until May, 1865, having thus been detained for some time after the final surrender of Generals Lee and Johnson. After the close of the war, in 1865, Doctor Drewry opened a drug store in Griffin, where he entered actively upon the practice of his profession, conducting his drug store until Sept. 1, 1899, when he disposed of the business, and has since devoted his attention entirely to the work of his profession, controlling a large and representative practice. He has served continuously as president of the board of education since 1880; and was a member of the city council in 1869-70; was again a member in 1875, and served also as mayor pro tern. He represented Spalding county in the state legislature in 1882-3. In 1902 he was appointed a member of the board of directors of the Georgia experimental station by Gov. Allen D. Candler, and on Dec. 6, 1904, he was elected Mayor Griffin, in which he gave a most progressive and satisfactory administration. In 1849, Doctor Drewry became a member of the Baptist church at Whitewater, Fayette county, and in 1857 he was ordained a deacon in the same church. In 1891 he was elected moderator of the Flint River Baptist association and served in this office seven years in terms of two years at the two first incumbencies as that was the limit of a member's service by the rule of the association, but in 1902 was again elected to the position as moderator and at the end of the term of two years, the association abandoned the rule of limiting the term of service to teo years and was again elected and is at this time tiling the position. The Doctor has been a Mason since 1856; is identified with the lodge, chapter and council of this time-honored fraternity, and is past worshipful master of Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 26, of Griffin. He is a member of the Spalding county medical association and the Georgia medical association, and the United Confederate Veterans. On Sept. 10, 1857, Doctor Drewry was united in marriage to Miss Marie Louise Ellis, daughter of Dr. James T. and Nancy (Dunn) Ellis, of Spalding county, and her death occurred on Aug. 4, 1864. Following is a brief record concerning the children of their union: Blanche graduated in Richmond college, Richmond, Va., and is now the wife of Charles H. Westbrook, of Griffin; Dr. T. Ellis Drewry likewise attended Richmond college, after which he was graduated in medicine in the Atlanta medical college and Jefferson medical college, now being engaged in practice in Griffin; Nicholas B., Jr., died, at the parental home, Oct. 6, 1881, having been at the time a student in the University of Georgia. On Jan. 8, 1868, Doctor Drewry contracted a second marriage, being then united to Miss Mary Minor Herndon, daughter of Reuben Herndon, and the only child of this union is Joseph Herndon, who was graduated in Mercer university in 1889 in the law department of the University of Georgia in 1890, and is now engaged in the mercantile business in Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Mary M. Drewry was summoned to the life eternal on July 23, 1891, and on Oct. 5, 1893, Doctor Drewry married his present wife, whose maiden name was Julia McGown McWilliams and who is a daughter of Robert Patrick McWilliams, of Griffin.

Dr. Drewry is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia. His first wife, Mary Louise (b. 10 Sepz 1839, d. 4 Aug 1864) died shortly after giving birth to a son (b. 17 July 1864, d. Nov. 1864). She and the infant are also buried there. Second wife, Minor Herndon Drewry (b. 11 Apr. 1845, d. 23 July 1891), and their son Joseph Herndon Drewry (b. 3 Apr 1869, d. 7 May 1937) are buried there as well other family members

 

WILL OF NICHOLAS B. DREWRY

1920)

Griffin, Georgia  July 28, 1919

 

In the name of God Amen, I, Nicholas B. Drewry, of the County of Spalding, State of Georgia, on the date above written, do make this my last will and testament, disposing of all the property that I may be in possession of at my death, setting aside all former wills that I may have made.

 

First.                I will that my Body be Buried in my lot in Oakhill Cemetery in a simple,

but neat walled and cemented vault, and that my resting place be marked by a marble stone, selected by my wife and children, and that the expense of my Burial be paid out of my money, or other available stocks or bonds that I may possess at the time of my death.

Second.           I will that my Dear Wife, Julie M. Drewry, have the following property

 

for own use and benefit during her natural life, she caring for the upkeep of said property, and at her death, or if she desires to abandon said houses, that the said houses and lands revert to my estate and be equally divided between my three children or the heirs of their bodies.

(The Following Property for my wife) The Home place where we now live with all of its belongings, (If she wants to distribute any of the furniture or library to my children she has the right to do so,) also the house and lot on the North side of West

Solomon St., Nos. 1 & 3 known as the Ison lot, also the house on North 12th St., where Westly Cochran now lives, 60 ft. fronting on 12 St. running east to the line of my son's lot (J. H. Drewry) bounded north by Slaton Avenue, East by J. H. Drewry's lot, South other lands of mine west by 12   St. Also one house and lot on West College St. No. _

bounded south by West College St., East by McDowell, north by J. H. Mathews lot, west by L. P. Blanton. Also that she have two thousand Dollars (1/4) one fourth out of my life Insurance. This latter item to be used as she pleases for her own comfort and pleasure.  Third.              I will that my Daughter, Mrs. Blanch Westbrook shall have the store

 

house and lot on the north side of West Solomon Street, No.    now occupied by E. W.

Doe. Also my 1/6 interest in the building known as the Kincaid building lying on East

Salomon St. bounded on the north by East Solomon St., east by Mills Printing Co.'s

building, west by Masonic Building, south by Methodist Church Building and grounds,

also one house and lot on West College St., No.            bounded on the North by West College St., west by a negro family by the name of Prothro, to the Southern R.R., south and east by the Southern R.R. Also Two Houses and lots on West Poplar St., Nos. 723 & 725, now occupied as tenants Mr. M. Galloway, and Mrs. Ja. A. Driver. Also Two Houses on West Solomon St., Nos.____ , one now occupied by Gilbert and the other bySank McKoy, Jr., bounded south by West Solomon St., east by J. H. Drewry, west by the two story house that is my property running north one hundred and five feet to my other property. Also my stock in the Griffin Banking Co., also one half of my stock in the Griffin Manufacturing Company.

Fourth.             I will that my son, T. Ellis Drewry, have the building no. 108 North Hill St. known as the Drug Store, also my stock in the Merchants & Planters Banking Co., also

the Two Story house on West Solomon St. at the corner of West Solomon and 12   St. Also my entire stock in the Rushton Cotton Mills (650) shares and 207 acres of land in Pike Co., GA, near Vager on the R.R. to Columbus, GA.

Fifth.                 I will to my son, J. H. Drewry to have the following part of my estate. My one half interest in Buildings and vacant lands of what is known as the old ware house property, bounded as follows: on the north by Slaton Avenue, on the east by the ally running between this property and the stores fronting on Hill St. and the store house occupied by E. W. Dorr that I now own, on the south by West Solomon St., on the west by the U. S. Post Office Building and lot and including all of the buildings, sheds and vacant lots on the lot described. Also one half of my stock in Griffin Manufacturing Co. Also my stock in the Savings Bank of Griffin, GA.

Sixth.                 I will that all other values that I may be possessed with at my death

,including the balance of my life insurance, Kincaid stock and my notes and accounts to be used for my Burial Expenses or pay any debt that I may owe, and after all obligations have been settled be equally divided between my three children; if any of them are not living then that the heirs of their bodies shall receive their parents' share.

Seventh.            It is my will that all claims in my possession at my death against either one of my children; either in note or on my account book, be cancelled, and not chargeable to them. I have to the best of my judgment equalized the above named claims in the distribution of my estate so as to make them as near equal as I could. In providing for my Beloved wife, after considering her present personal possessions, to leave to her, for her use during her lifetime such property as she may be able to use with the least worry and responsibility.

Eighth.               It is my will that T. Ellis Drewry and J. H. Drewry be the Executors to this my last will.

I have signed this my last will in the presence of the undersigned citizens of Spalding Co., GA.

N. B. Drewry

Witnessed by: R. J. Deane

W. A. Mintz

H. M. Amos

STATE OF GEORGIA, COUNTY OF SPALDING

Before me came H. M. Amoss. named as a witness to the within writing, purporting to be Nicholas B. Drewry's last will and being duly sworn saith that he with R. J. Deane and W. A. Mintz at the request of Nicholas B. Drewry and in his presence, and in presence of each other, did attest as witnesses the within writing as Nicholas B. Drewry's Will; that the same was signed and published by Nicholas B. Drewry in their presence as his last Will, that he was at the time of said attestation and signing by him of sound and disposing mind and memory; that he executed the will voluntarily.

 

Sworn to and subscribed before me                                                                                         H. M. Amoss

This the 7th day of July, 1920  

                      J. A. Drewry, Ordinary

OATH

STATE OF GEORGIA, SPALDING COUNTY

To wit: I do solemnly swear that this writing contains the true last will of the within named Nicholas B. Drewry, deceased, so far as I know or believe; and that I will well and truly execute the same in accordance with the laws of this State. So help me God.

T. Ellis Drewry

Sworn to and subscribed before me

                    July 7,1920

J. A. Drewry, Ordinary

 

BRO WB DREWRY SERVED AS WORSHIPFUL MASTER IN 1882

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:

WB JOE TURNER 33° PGHP, KYGCH

Hampton Lodge #70