Axel Stille’s other (than Stillington) former property, the 300-acre tract on the southeast side of the Elk River, was described as “surveyed 2 May 1661 for Exel Still on the East Side Elk River, included in Poplar Neck, 1400 acres, which William Fisher sold [to] Mr. Henry Ward; if not so, must be escheat.”  

There was a survey done in 1666 of 1400 acres on St. Alban's Creek on the south side of the Elk River in Baltimore County (now Cecil County), Maryland called Poplar Neck. This tract was owned by William Fisher of Virginia and his wife Elizabeth but "possesst by Henry Ward," apparently as a tenant (Cecil County Rent Roll, 1658-1707, microfilm at Maryland Historical Society).

Pg. 196, 4 Mar. 1666/7: William Fisher, chirurgeon, of VA., and w. Frances, conv. To Henry Ward, mariner, 1400 a. at Poplar Neck on St. Alban’s Creek on the s. side of Elk R., including 1000 a. taken up by Fisher, and 300 a. (“Stillin,” prob. “Stillington”) taken up by Oxell Still, and 100 a. formerly taken up by Thomas Cauker (IR#PP:61).

Six months later, Fisher and his wife sold Poplar Neck to Henry Ward for 21,700 pounds of tobacco (MHR, Land Office, 18:274) and it became Henry's principal residence for the rest of his life. After he died, Poplar Neck passed to his only son and then continued in the family into the 19th century. The 1666/67 survey describes Henry as "Henry Ward marriner of Baltimore county," [Cecil County was not created from Baltimore County until 1676.].

Joseph Young (probable son of Jacob Young who died in 1696), planter, Cecil County, died leaving a will dated 10 April 1727 and proved 13 June 1732. To sons Jacob and John, tract Poplar Neck.

Poplar Neck is now Pearce's Neck. Poplar Neck runs between The Elk River, Capt. John's Creek, and St. Alban's Creek, which is now Pearce's Creek. It is located close to St. Stephen's Church's current location and to "The Levels" tract of land. I am trying to establish the relationship between Henry Ward 1638-1683, William Ward (1646-1720) and Colonel John Ward 1666-1747, the original 3 Ward men in Cecil County in the seventeenth century.