The Parsonage is a cultivar of the

European Pear ''Pyrus communis'', the common pear, is a species of pear native to central and eastern Europe, and western Asia. It is one of the most important fruits of temperate regions, being the species from which most orchard pear cultivars grown in Eur ...

(''Pyrus communis'') which is a native of

New Rochelle, New York New Rochelle ( ; in ) is a Political subdivisions of New York State#City, city in Westchester County, New York, Westchester County, New York (state), New York, United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located approximately from Midtow ...

in northeastern

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

. The pear tree, found on the

parsonage A clergy house is the residence, or former residence, of one or more priests or ministers of a given religion, serving as both a home and a base for the occupant's ministry. Residences of this type can have a variety of names, such as manse, pa ...

of Reverend Doctor R. U. Morgan, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, was introduced as the Parsonage pear in 1857 by Stephen P. Carpenter of the Huguenot Nurseries of New Rochelle. The original tree was a constant and abundant bearer of fruit which was viewed as flavorful and of very good quality. During its early years, New Rochelle was well known for the propagation of trees and shrubbery. The

Huguenot The Huguenots ( , ; ) are a Religious denomination, religious group of French people, French Protestants who held to the Reformed (Calvinist) tradition of Protestantism. The term, which may be derived from the name of a Swiss political leader, ...

settlers were especially skilled in the development of fruits and flowers. The ' Churchland' and ' Huntington' pear varieties are also native to the community, as well as the Lawton blackberry, the first widely cultivated blackberry in the country.

Characteristic features

The 'Parsonage' Pear is of large size, approximately 3 1/4 inches in length by 2 1/2 inches wide. It is pyriform in shape, rounded at the base and often long and turbinate. The skin is yellow in color, with a russet-ed base and crown, and russet markings interspersed across the remaining exterior portions. The stem is 5/8 of an inch long and its flesh is rather granular in texture and buttery. The 'Parsonage' ripens to maturity around the end of September.Downing, A.J. (1853). The Horticulturist, And Journal Of Rural Art And Rural Taste. James Vice Jr.

References

History of New York (state) History of New Rochelle, New York Pear cultivars {{pyrus-stub