Preheat oven to 350ยบ. Grease a 9" round cake pan. Combine first three ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Pour mixture into cake pan, spreading to cover the bottom. Arrange your pear slices (in a circular shape, along the edge of the pan) on top of the brown sugar mixture.
In a medium bowl, stir together the next seven ingredients (through the cloves).
In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the 1/2 cup butter on high for 30 seconds. Add the 1/3 cup brown sugar and continue beating until combined. Beat in eggs and molasses. Add flour mixture and the 3/4 cup water, alternately. Beat on low after each addition, just until combined.
Carefully pour batter over pear slices in pan.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, until toothpick-test done.
Cool in pan on wire rack for five minutes. Loosen edges of cake with a butter knife and invert onto cake plate. Makes 10 servings. Serve warm. Even more delicious a la mode.