Easter  originated in the gardens of Capucin Monastery at Louvain, Belgium, where about 1823 an old pear tree known to the monks as the Pastorale de Louvain attracted the attention of Dr. Jean Van Mons.  By 1635, it was grown rather generally in the gardens of Belgium under the name of Pastorale.  The name Easter was adopted in England and America.  The Easter was brought to this country not later than 1837.  Since 1862, Easter has appeared on the American Pomological Society list of pears recommended for general cultivation.