Mr James Vivian Drew

Mr James Vivian Drew, 42, was born in the village of Constantine near Penryn, Cornwall on 4 May 1869, the son of Mrs Priscilla Drew (Charwoman) who, at the time of the 1881 census was a widow. James Drew had two brothers, Simon Drew and John William Drew (known as William).

Jim, as he was known, had emigrated to America in 1896 with his brother William and lived and worked in Greenport, County of Suffolk, New York State, where they both ran a successful monumental marble business. He subsequently married Miss Lulu Thorne Christian who was a native of Greenport. His brother had also married in America and had a son, Marshall Brines Drew. Marshall's mother died some two weeks after his birth so James and Lulu became his surrogate parents.

James, his wife and Marshall travelled on the Olympic in the autumn of 1911 for a holiday to visit his relatives in Constantine, Cornwall. Their return journey to America was on board the Titanic which they boarded at Southampton as second class passngers (ticket number 28220, £32 10s). It is possible that they travelled with James Veal who was also a native of Constantine.

On embarking James and Marshall were able to view the first class areas including the gymnasium and the barbers shop.

James Drew was lost in the sinking, his body, if recovered, was never identified.

James has a memorial on his wife's gravestone in the Ashaway Cemetery, Ashaway, Rhode Island, USA.

© Michael A. Findlay, USA

References
British Census 1881
Contract Ticket List, White Star Line 1912 (National Archives, New York; NRAN-21-SDNYCIVCAS-55[279])
Marriages, births, deaths and injuries that have occurred on board during the voyage (PRO London, BT 100/259-260)
Names and Descriptions of Alien Passengers Embarked at the Port of Southampton, 10 April 1912 (PRO London, BT 27/780B).

Contributors
Stephen Coombes, UK
Chris Dohany, USA
Brian Ticehurst, UK
Geoff Whitfield, UK

Travelling Companions (on same ticket)
Mrs Lulu Thorne Drew
Master Marshall Brines Drew