Winter Nelis was raised from seed by Jean Charles Nelis, Echlin, Belgium, early in the 19ty century.  It was introduced into England by the London Horticultural Society.  In 1823, the president of the Society sent John Lowell of Roxbury Mass the variety who then shared them with Robert Manning of Salem Mass. who then sent the variety to various parts of the country.  At the National Convention of Fruit Growers held in New York in 1848, Winter Nelis was included in a short list of pears recommended for general cultivation.