Though at first glance at this double stone might suggest a husband and wife, it is in fact mother and son. Eleanor Hollingworth was born about 1630 and married merchant William Hollingworth, with whom she had several children (including William Jr.) Their wharf served as the base of William’s maritime activities, but tragedy would strike in 1677, when William was seemingly lost at sea. Though no confirmation could be obtained, Eleanor was granted power over the estate until such a time as her husband’s fate could be determined. William Sr. never returned and his many debts greatly reduced the estate Eleanor had inherited. As was often the case for 17th century widows, Eleanor was granted a tavern license to support herself and maintained The Blue Anchor down at the end of English St. In 1675 her eldest child, Mary, would marry Jersey-native Philip English, who would assist with running the family business until both of them were accused of witchcraft in 1692. William Jr. seems to have followed his father’s maritime footsteps, not quite reaching the financial success of Mary and her husband.
While a fixture of the community, the Hollingsworths were not without controversy, especially after the death of William Sr. In 1679 the wife of William Dicer was fined for calling Eleanor a ‘black-mouthed witch and a thief.’ The Hollingworth’s would find trouble themselves in 1684, when a constable Philip Fowler came calling at their home. William Jr. had seemingly not fulfilled his end of a contract and when the constable came to serve a writ, William reacted by brandishing an ax. As Fowler moved to arrest William, Eleanor came to his defense, threatening to “stave out his brains” and striking him repeatedly. William fled into another room and Fowler retreated. The court would only require Eleanor to pay costs, as she claimed she was unaware Fowler was a constable.
William Jr would die in November of 1688 and Eleanor herself would die the following November. Though William had no descendants, Mary and Philip English would have many, including prominent members of the Hathorne and Ingersoll families. The Blue Anchor would remain in the family until 1748, when the Englishes conveyed it to Richard Derby.