Chancellor
PearChancellor
Origin / History
Probably a native of Pennsylvania (Elliott). More specifically, said to have originated in Germantown, Pennsylvania, on the grounds of a Mr. Chancellor (Downing, Hedrick; Thomas also gives Germantown, Pa.). At the Second Session of the American Pomological Congress in 1853 it was placed on the list of pears that promised well (Hedrick).
Tree
Healthy and an abundant bearer (Elliott). Branches horizontal, not very vigorous, spreading (Downing). Young wood slender, yellowish brown (Elliott); young wood reddish brown (Downing).
Fruit
Size
Rather large to large.
Form
Obovate obtuse pyriform (Downing, Hedrick). Elliott describes it as large, oblong obovate pyriform. Thomas notes that large specimens are early Bartlett-shaped, while small ones are obovate.
Stem / Stalk
Stem about one inch long, rather thick (Elliott, Thomas). Downing describes the stem as medium, curved, rather stout, fleshy at its insertion by a lip, inserted in a rather broad cavity.
Cavity
Small and irregular (Elliott, Thomas). Downing describes the cavity as rather broad (in connection with the fleshy-lipped stem insertion).
Calyx
Small (Elliott, Thomas, Downing).
Basin
Contracted (Elliott, Thomas). Downing describes the basin as moderate.
Skin
Green, with minute brown specks and some russet blotches, rarely a faint brown cheek (Elliott). Greenish yellow, sometimes red in the sun, rough, somewhat inclining to russet, thickly covered with dots (Downing). Greenish-yellow, sometimes blushed on the exposed side, dotted (Hedrick). Thomas simply describes the skin as green.
Flesh / Flavor
Flesh melting (Elliott); rated "very good." Whitish, juicy, buttery, melting, sugary, perfumed; good (Downing). White, juicy, buttery, melting, sugary, perfumed; good (Hedrick). Melting, rich, agreeable (Thomas).
Core / Seeds
Core medium; seeds long, yellowish brown (Elliott).
Season
Last September (Elliott). October, November (Downing; Hedrick gives Oct. and Nov.). Mid-autumn (Thomas).
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 4 period pomological works
View original book sources (4)
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Chancellor.
Green's Germantown, | Early St. Germain.
Probably a native of Pennsylvania. Tree, healthy, abundant bearer; young wood, slender, yellowish brown. Fruit, large, oblong obovate pyriform, green, with minute brown specks and some russet blotches, rarely a faint brown cheek; stem, one inch long, rather thick; cavity small, irregular; calyx, small; basin, contracted; core, medium; seeds, long, yellowish brown; flesh, melting; "very good." Last September.
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Chancellor.
Supposed to be a native of Germantown, Penn., on the grounds of Mr. Chancellor. Branches horizontal, not very vigorous, spreading. Young wood reddish brown.
Fruit rather large, obovate obtuse pyriform. Skin greenish yellow, sometimes red in sun, rough, somewhat inclining to russet, thickly covered with dots. Stem medium, curved, rather stout, fleshy at its insertion by a lip, inserted in a rather broad cavity. Calyx small, set in a moderate basin. Flesh whitish, juicy, buttery, melting, sugary, perfumed. Good. October, November.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Chancellor. Large, obtuse pyriform, large specimens early Bartlett-shaped, small ones obovate; green; stalk an inch long, rather thick; cavity small, irregular; calyx small, basin contracted; flesh melting, rich, agreeable. Mid-autumn. Germantown, Pa.
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Chancellor.
- Mag. Hort. 19:65. 1853. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 717. 1869.
Said to have originated in Germantown, Pa., on the grounds of a Mr. Chancellor. At the Second Session of the American Pomological Congress in 1853 it was placed on the list of pears that promised well. Fruit rather large, obovate-obtuse-pyriform, greenish-yellow, sometimes blushed on the exposed side, dotted; flesh white, juicy, buttery, melting, sugary, perfumed; good; Oct. and Nov.