James Drever was born about 1829 at Hammar, the son of David Drever and Ann Reid. He married Mary Hercus who was born on 23rd February 1828 and baptised 16th March 1828. She was from Doggerboat, the daughter of John Harcus and Jane Drummond. The marriage took place on Pharay on 2nd December 1852.
James was a fisherman. Mary and James had seven children, born at Hammar:
James and Mary both died young and are buried in the graveyard on the west side of Pharay. James died on 11th October 1865 at Hammar of rheumatic fever after having been ill for about a year and a half, and Mary died about four years later on 26th June 1869, at Hammar, of tuberculosis. She left six children ages 14 and under, many of whom were raised by relatives before immigrating to New Zealand, Australia or North America.