Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes
Production Information
Portrayed by	Thayer David
First appearance	372
Last appearance	1119
Episode count	53
Biographical Information
Name	Benjamin Stokes
Also known as	Ben
Age	40 (1796) 84 (1840)
Date of birth	1756
Year of death	1840
Manner of death	Suicide by slitting throat, behavior induced by the Head of Judah Zachery
Profession	Servant
Family members	Carrie Stokes (Grandaughter) Amos Stokes (Son)
We have 3 images of Dark Shadows Ben Stokes

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 (PT), see Ben Stokes (PT).

Benjamin "Ben" Stokes (1756 -1840) was a servant at Collinwood in the late 18th century and early 19th century.

Late 18th Century

Early Life

Ben Stokes, was born in 1756, he fought in the American Revolution, but its unknown what his involvement was, After the war, he was caught breaking into someone's house, and was arrested, and was given a lengthy prison sentence.

After his prison sentence, he meet Joshua Collins, whom made him work in Collinwood, 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 taught him how to read and write (372).

The Witch

Ben Stokes talking to Angelique.

In 1795, 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 because of her powers.

After Angelique's death, Ben became Barnabas' servant,  Ben resented the control Barnabas had over him, but because he knew what Angelique had put him through, he was more understanding. After Barnabas was sealed in the Mausoleum by Joshua, Ben wrote in his diary the true history of the family pertaining to Barnabas, in direct conflict with the version which Joshua wrote, but took Barnabas's secret to his grave.

19th Century

Family Life

In 1796, Ben Stokes was  given freedom by Joshua Collins, by order of Barnabas Collins, he was given $100, and a small parcel of land, outside Collinsport.

There he happily, married in the early 1800s, and had a son, Amos Stokes. Amos later married a woman named Martha Bradbury, and together they had one child, Carrie Stokes, born in 1825 (1163). Amos and Martha both died in the late 1830s, and Carrie came to live with her grandfather at Collinwood.

Death

Ben Stokes confronts the head of Judah Zachary.

In 1840, Ben found the Head of Judah Zachery. Knowing the history of Judah Zachery, Ben tried to convince Desmond Collins to destroy the head (1118). But due to the head's influence, Ben killed himself by taking a knife and nearly cutting his own head off (1119). Ben would be the first victim of Judah, as the head's power began to wreak havoc on the citizens of Collinsport.

Notes

• Ben Stokes was Thayer David's second role on the show.
• When his descendent, 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.
• During the 1897 Flashback, Ben's grave was seen in the graveyard and showed the dates 1756-1816, yet his death was shown to take place in 1840. 
• Ben's preferred drink was rum, preferably served by one of the girls at The Eagle.

Appearances

372, 373, 374, 375, 378, 380, 381, 389, 396, 397, 398, 401, 402, 406, 410, 411, 413, 415, 416, 417, 418, 425, 426, 428, 429, 430, 431, 435, 436, 438, 439, 440, 442, 445, 453, 457, 460, 623, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 885, 1110, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1116, 1118, 1119