Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

Patrick Henry Drewry Papers, Accession #8255, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

The papers and correspondence of the Drewry Collection were received on deposit 9 May 1966 from John Metcalf Drewry, 2438 North Nottingham Street, Arlington, Virginia. They were brought to the University by James Baylor Blackford, 1511 Palmyra Avenue, Richmond, Virginia.

Biographical/Historical Information

Patrick Henry Drewry was born in Petersburg, Virginia, May 24, 1875. he attended public schools, Petersburg High School, and McCabe's University School. Drewry graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland (1896) and later received his law degree from the University of Virginia. For a brief time he taught English and Greek at Centenary College in Palmyra, Missouri. Following his admission to the Virginia bar (1901), Drewry returned to his home state to practice law. He was a member of two well-established Petersburg firms: Lassiter & Drewry and Drewry & Old. He also served for a short time as director of Petersburg Savings and American Trust Co.

Drewry always took an active interest in state politics. In 1912, he was elected to the Virginia General Assembly, representing the 29th senatorial district (Dinwiddie County and Petersburg City). Throughout his political career, he enjoyed a favorable reputation as a diligent and competent legislator, and was rewarded for his efforts with the unwavering support of his constituency. As chairman of the Senate Fish and Game Committee, Drewry helped to secure needed legislation to protect Virginia's wildlife. He was well acquainted with state fiscal affairs and served as chairman of the Economy and Efficiency Commission of Virginia (1916-1918) and chairman of the State Auditing Committee (1916-1918). Both agencies exerted considerable control over state finances. In 1919, as chairman of the State Advisory Board, Drewry was instrumental in formulating the Commonwealth's first official budget.

Drewry was continually active in party politics, serving as delegate to several Democratic state and national conventions. In 1923, he was named a member of the Democratic National Committee and later elected as chairman. He held this position for 12 years (1935-1947), longer than any of his predecessors.

In 1920, Drewry was elected to the 66th U. S. Congress, filling an unexpired term. He represented Virginia's fourth congressional district for 27 years. Moderate in his views and quiet in nature, Drewry avoided political controversy, partisan strife, and Congressional spotlights. He served as ranking Democratic member of the House Naval Affairs Committee during a period of rapid naval contracts. He played a key role in the committee's investigation of the Brewster Aero-nautical Corporation which had a government defense contract but failed to satisfy production agreements.

Drewry's voting record in the House was marked with a high degree of party regularity. Despite the dynamic role he played in national politics, he was never considered part of the "inner circle" of the State Democratic Organization. But Drewry was able to capture the confidence of Virginia voters, and was continually re-elected to his post without threatening opposition.

Patrick Drewry was a member of the American and Virginia State Bar associations, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Chi fraternities, and Alumni Association of Randolph-Macon College. He also served as a member of the board of visitors to the United States Naval Academy. Drewry married Mary Elizabeth Metcalf in 1906 and had three sons: Patrick Henry; John Metcalf; and William Emmett. He died December 21, 1947 at his home in Petersburg.

Scope and Content Information

The Patrick Henry Drewry Collection (ca. 16,500 items, 23 shelf feet) is comprised of legal correspondence, family financial papers, and some personal correspondence covering the years ca. 1825-1948. Most of the material relates to Drewry's legal practice in Petersburg, Virginia as a member of the firm Lassiter and Drewry (1907-1921) and later during the partnership of Drewry & Old. The collection includes letters from various clients as well as professional correspondence with several prominent Virginia attorneys, i.e.; B. F. Glahn, Samuel Carter, W. R. McKenney. As a member of the Virginia State Senate (1912-1920) and as a U.S. Congressman (1920-1947) Drewry continued to practice law. The letters and papers in the collection reflect Drewry's continuing concern with private legal cases and his commitment to the general welfare of his constituents.

In the initial stages of his career, Drewry focused his professional efforts on settling small property claims and securing veteran benefits for his clients. He also handled a few criminal and divorce cases. The documentation and correspondence concerning a few cases is fairly complete. In 1906, Drewry acted as defense attorney for George Gee, a poor black man accused of murder. Later, Drewry acted as lawyer and friend to Pattie Harris, handling a lengthy legal dispute between Harris and the Virginia State Highway Commission concerning the construction of a road through Ms Harris's property. The Harris Family papers, ca. 1825-1943, make up a large proportion of the Drewry collection.

During his eight years in the Virginia General Assembly, Drewry played an active role in the passage of legislation advancing the State highway system and affecting the Virginia Health Department and the Board of Charities and Corrections. The papers include some information concerning the Vital Statistics Bill (1919) which Drewry helped to formulate.

Drewry was keenly interested in economic affairs and state finances. As a state senator, he served as chairman of the Governor's Advisory Board on the Budget. The collection includes copies of budget documents as well as a few letters for Governor Westmoreland Davis concerning the preparation of the state budget.

As an ardent opponent to statewide prohibition, Drewry worked closely with the Virginia Association for Local Self Government. The campaign for local option is clearly outlined in the correspondence. There are also a few letters concerning women's suffrage.

As a member of the State Auditing Committee and chairman of the Commission on Economy and Efficiency, Drewry corresponded frequently with other officials regarding the financial interests of the state. There is a good deal of information concerning county audits and reports on investigations of various agencies, organization, state schools, hospitals, etc. Drewry also belonged to the Virginia Council of Defense and the Four Minute Men, two patriot organizations established to enlist and maintain public enthusiasm and support during World War I. There are several letters concerning the responsibilities and activities of both organizations.

Although Drewry served as a U.S. congressman for twenty-seven years, there is not a great deal of information concerning his political career in Washington. Drewry corresponded frequently with his secretary, W. L. Bragg, on matters concerning individual legal cases, civil service appointments, private pension claims, etc. There is no significant correspondence between Drewry and his congressional colleagues. There is some information regarding various investigations conducted by the sub-committee of Naval Affairs, state redistricting plans, improvement of Virginia's postal service and expansion of rural routes. There is little material concerning election campaigns or party politics, and only a few personal letters between Drewry and family members.

Organization

Part one of the Patrick Henry Drewry Collection consists of twenty-one boxes and is arranged chronologically. Included are legal documents, business papers, receipts, cancelled checks, social correspondence, and personal correspondence. There is also material relating to Virginia politics, Drewry's campaigns, legislation; patronage, and such controversial issues as woman suffrage and the local option. Although the correspondence in this section has not been systematically organized the material covering politics and Drewry's public career is concentrated in boxes 4-11 and 21. Material covering Drewry's business and personal affairs is interspersed throughout this segment of the collection.

Part two is comprised of boxes 22-29. It contains material similar to that in the first section. It is arranged alphabetically. Among the items of interest are the file on James Cannon and the Local Option Campaign.

There are also two small family collections at the end of the papers. Boxes 48-52 contain the Harris Family papers. Arranged chronologically, this collection is primarily related to financial and legal matters of the family. The A. G. Ryland Papers in boxes 54 and 55 are also arranged chronologically and contain business papers.