The Dr. John Drury Papers contain his correspondence and financial papers from 1781-1823. The bulk of the papers contain his personal correspondence with family and friends. Although John was a Marblehead physician, there are few manuscripts documenting his medical practice. The majority of the business papers concern his Marblehead store and mercantile business. Also found here are a few deeds, powers of attorney, and records for estates he administered. The collection has been divided into four series.

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.

Series II. Business Papers, 1786-1823, include correspondence, accounts, receipts, and shipping papers for his store, shipping ventures, and medical practice. The bulk of the business and miscellaneous correspondence contains letters regarding settlement of accounts and debts. Additional letters include correspondence on the purchase or sale of goods from Drury's store, the purchase of lottery tickets from a church in Bristol, Rhode Island, and correspondence concerning land owned by Drury in Rhode Island. The miscellaneous business accounts and receipts include purchase orders, accounts, and receipts for the store owned by Drury.

The Thomas Drury correspondence contains letters to and from John and Thomas, both while Thomas managed a store in Providence, Rhode Island for John, and later during Thomas' sea voyages. These letters discuss the activities of the stores, both in Providence and Marblehead, and after 1798 of Thomas' maritime ventures while attempting to sell surplus medical supplies.

The shipping papers reflect John's efforts to export surplus medicine through Thomas and other captains. These records contain correspondence, accounts of sales, and insurance policies for shipments to Lisbon, the West Indies, and southern United States. Included here are also the papers for the schooner Mary, owned by John and mastered by his brother Thomas, which was condemned.

Only a single folder of medical records documents John's career as a doctor. The bulk of these records contains accounts and bills to patients. There are also a few letters that discuss ailments, a letter relating to his selection as vice president of the Essex Southern District Medical Society and a few notes on ailments.

Series III. Legal Papers includes deeds, powers of attorney, and papers of estates settled by John.

Series IV. Miscellaneous Papers consists of accounts and receipts of John Glover.