Elizabeth Collins Stoddard was the matriarch of the prestigious Collins family of Collinsport, Maine. She maintained control of the family's business interests from her home at Collinwood.

In June of 1970, Elizabeth discovered that a new member of the family had recently moved to Collinsport from England, Barnabas Collins. He endeared himself to her by presenting Elizabeth with the lost jewels of their respective ancestor, Naomi Collins. Barnabas asked for Elizabeth's permission to move into the original family estate. Having no conception of Barnabas' supernatural background, Elizabeth graciously allowed him the privilege of moving back into his own, dilapidated home.