Renee Barrie

Barrie a century later

One of the first houses (1881) built on Edward Price's farm is remembered as "Barrie House". And just downhill stand eight houses on Barrie Road, one of four streets in Narberth named after someone who lived here.

George Barrie (1843–1918), publisher of de luxe editions and book sets, bought the former Vauclain house in 1910, a year after the death of his first wife. He named it Puir-Hilch (Scots Gaelic, meaning poor hovel, modest shelter). George was wealthy, successful, "notable".

But it was Renee who left the Barrie mark on the borough. Renee and George were each other's second spouses; both had grown children from their first marriages. Twenty years younger than George, Renee threw herself into Narberth civic life, competing in the annual flower show, becoming a director of the Narberth Civic Association and purchasing a lot in Narbrook Park.

Two years after George's sudden death from pneumonia January 4, 1918, Renee began to sell pieces of the 2⅝-acre property. The southern part became Barrie Rd. by 1926. In 1928 Renee sold ½ acre on Essex avenue to the Narberth Methodist Church for one dollar. Ironically, the church acquired Barrie House in 1956, for its parsonage.

George Barrie on FamilySearch (requires free account)

George Barrie on Find a Grave

Updated July 24, 2024.