Ben Stokes

From The Dark Shadows Wiki

This article is about the indentured servant of Joshua Collins in 1795 who died in 1840. For the Collinwood (1841 PT) groundskeeper and father of Carrie Stokes (1841), see Ben Stokes (1841 PT).

Benjamin "Ben" Stokes (d.1840) was a prisoner who was indentured to Joshua Collins in 1795 to work off the rest of his prison term. Although Joshua treated him badly, Joshua's son, Barnabas Collins took a liking to Ben and was teaching him how to read and write. When Angelique the witch needed a strong servant to help her with her diabolical schemes, she decided to place Ben under her enchantment (373). Ben hated Angelique, but was often forced to betray Barnabas to her because of her powers.

After Angelique's death, Ben became Barnabas' servant, in much the same way Willie Loomis would later be. Like Willie, Ben resented the control Barnabas had over him, but because he knew Angelique, he was more understanding. After Barnabas was sealed in the Mausoleum, Ben wrote in his diary the true history of the family, in direct conflict with the version which Joshua Collins wrote, but took Barnabas's secret to his grave ... quite literally!

Ben was also a confidant of Danielle Rogét, helping her when she traveled back in time.

His granddaughter, Carrie Stokes, came to Collinwood to live with him after her parents died.

Ben was surprised to be reunited with a time traveling Barnabas in 1840, but their reunion was cut short when Ben found the Head of Judah Zachary. Knowing the history of Judah Zachary, Ben tried to convince Desmond Collins to destroy the head (1118). Due to the head's influence, Ben killed himself by taking a knife and nearly cutting his own head off (1119).

When Professor Stokes first came to Collinwood in 1968, he told the family that Ben had been given $100 and a small parcel of land outside Collinsport which he worked until he died in his 75th year. He also said Ben was illiterate until he was 45, meaning if Barnabas taught him to write in 1795, then he died in 1825 - not 1840 as we would later see.

Ben's preferred drink was rum - preferably served by one of the girls at The Eagle.