In 1832, he journeyed and crossed the Atlantic Ocean, emigrated to the United States with his family to Boston, Massachusetts in New England.

He appeared in a number of Johlen's plays, including Uncle Mutch, The Barber Man, Canterbury of Livingston and The Progrist.

Drew died at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 21, 1862, at the early age of 34, after tripping, falling and fatally hitting his head during a party for then 6-year old daughter Georgiana.

After his death, his wife Louisa Lane Drew took over the management of the Arch Street Theatre for the next three decades up to 1892.

[3] The Arch Street venue survived as the second oldest theatre in America until 1936 when it was unfortunately demolished after 108 years.