'Pope' has taken a long journey. My scions came from Mr. Nick Botner of Yoncalla, OR. He claims his material came from George Washington's home at Mt. Vernon and that this is an heirloom pear. Perhaps you have it under a French or Italian name, but Mr. Botner claims it has always been know as 'Pope'. -- Ethan Natelson, March 23,1999. Ragan (Nomenclature of the Pear, 1908) lists 'Pope' as a synonym for 'Bonners'. He also distinguishes it from 'Pope's Quaker', 'Pope's Russet' and 'Pope's Scarlet Major' which are distinct cultivars. Hedrick (Pears of New York) does not list 'Pope' in the index, but in his description of 'Bonners' that follows he lists 'Pope' as a synonym: 'Originated in Hancock County, Ga., and was known in 1869 in Washington County of that state, as the Pope pear. Fruit has a peculiar almond flavor; very good; Sept.' Hedrick cites the American Pomological Society Reports from 1869 and 1873 and he uses an accent mark over the 'e' in 'Pope'. -- J. Postman, April 16,1999.