Series I. Correspondence includes letters written to and from John and his family members. Subseries A. Letters to John include letters from his brother, Dr. Luke Drury of Marblehead, and father, Colonel Luke Drury of Grafton, which describe family concerns and John's shipping ventures. Of note are the February 10, 1787 letter from Dr. Luke Drury and March 20, 1787 letter from Colonel Luke Drury. These relate Colonel Luke Drury's arrest and forty-seven day imprisonment in Boston on an unspecified political accusation. Letters to John from his sons describe school life at Brown University for Luke, Samuel S., and William G., the naval career of John Temple, and shipping business of Austin. Letters from family include personal letters from his wife Hannah, brother Alden Drury, and in-laws, mostly Crossmans and Smiths. Letters from in-laws, Benjamin Greene and Nicholas Peck, also include descriptions of shipping ventures.

Subseries B. Letters from John include correspondence with his brother Luke and sons Luke, Austin, William G., Samuel S., and John Temple which discuss family matters and John's shipping business.

Subseries C. Family Papers contain letters to John's wives Hannah (Smith) and Sally (Crossman) Drury, from John, relatives and friends, and letters to John's brother Dr. Luke from Drury relatives and friends. Also included here are papers from Dr. Luke Drury's estate settled by his father Colonel Luke Drury. Alden Drury's papers include a personal letter as well as miscellaneous accounts and receipts. Contained in the miscellaneous family papers are personal letters between Drury in-laws, letters between John's sons, business accounts and receipts for Luke, John Temple, Austin, and letters to John's sons from Drury cousins.