In 1760, the Collins family moves from Liverpool to Maine and starts a successful fishing business, leading to the founding of Collinsport and Collinwood estate. Barnabas Collins, raised with the value of family, gets involved with the servant Angelique, who is a witch. When he rejects her, she casts a spell to kill his parents, leading him to suspect dark forces at play. His relationship with Josette du Pres angers Angelique, who makes Josette jump off a cliff. Barnabas, cursed by Angelique, turns into a vampire.