Historic District in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Barry House

1871

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Barry House Marker

Inscription. Italianate style house built on the brick basement of c. 1809 house constructed for William Soranzo Hasell (1780-1815), Wilmington Gazette owner; and wife, Eliza G. Tart (1803-1878). Alexander Strausz of the Cape Fear Building Company built this house for Major Robert Peabody Barry (1839-1912), Union Army veteran, wholesale commission merchant with “Barry Brothers”; and wife, Julia Keen Nielson (1843-1910), natives of New York. The Neoclassical Revival style front porch was added c. 1910 by Pvt. George Reade French (1841-1915), Confederate veteran and boot and shoe store owner; and wife, Cornelia Worth French (1849-1931).

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 34° 13.896′ N, 77° 56.748′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is at the intersection of South 3rd Street (Business U.S. 17) and Ann Street, on the right when traveling south on South 3rd Street

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 S 3rd St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James Hasell (a few steps from this marker); Judah P. Benjamin (a few steps from this marker); Strausz-Heide House (within shouting distance of this marker); Wiggins House (within shouting distance of this marker); David Reid Murchison House (within shouting distance of this marker); Parsley House (within shouting distance of this marker); Willard-Biggs House (within shouting distance of this marker); Gooding-Lawton-Grant House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. History of Saint James': The Barrys. Major and Mrs. Barry were parishioners of Saint James’ Church soon after they came to Fauquier County [Virginia] in 1879 and purchased “Clifton,” a large farm near Warrenton, later renamed “Dunnottar” after the ancient family seat in Scotland. (Richard Gookin, Saint James' Episcopal Church, February 2016) (Submitted on January 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Wilmington Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Barry House Marker

this property and was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Survey and Planning Unit, North Carolina Division of Archives and History; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Wilmington Historic District Boundary Expansion and Additional Documentation (PDF). National Register nomination that expanded the district in 2003. (Prepared by Sherry Joines Wyatt and L. Robbie King; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

George Reade French obituary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller

3. George Reade French obituary

Appeared in April 27, 1915 edition of The Wilmington Morning Star.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.