Descendants of Jacob Keckley, Sr. - Hometowns
Stammein, Stanheim, Hammein or Stammheim?
​Where did Jacob, Sr. come from?
Duchy of Wurttemberg, circa 1750. By Mattäus Seutter [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
Wirtenberg, circa 1619. Pieter van den Keere [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
The German hometown of Jacob Keckley, Sr. (1701-1788) is unclear. The historic region of Wurttemberg is known from primary sources, but the town is referred to as Stammein, Stanheim or Hammein in various sources. The most likely town may be Stammheim, but there are two historic towns named Stammheim in the historic Duchy of Wurttemberg (1495-1806). One is now a northern suburb of Stuttgart. The other is now a neighborhood in the town of Calw, about 33 km west of Stuttgart. 

Both towns of Stammheim were historic towns or villages in times gone by. The Stuttgart suburb can be seen on a historic map of the Duchy of Wurttemberg, circa 1750. (The walled city of Stuttgart is a red spot at about 48.35 Occ., 31 Sep. Stammheim is marked just above of the word Stuttgart at about 48.40 Occ., 31 Sep.) 

The second "Stammheim" is about 40 km (25 miles) west of Stuttgart. The Calw neighborhood and historic village of Stammheim are mentioned in the Wikipeidia article about Calw. Since Calw was mentioned in written records as early as 1037 and was apparently flourishing in the 18th century, the Stammheim village is likely to have existed at that time. In fact, a map of "Wirtenberg", circa 1619 shows a town named Stamm just southeast of a town named Kalb alongside a river (​at 48.32 Occ., 30.30 Sep.). Kalb is in the same location as the current town of Calw. 

Why leave Germany?
Possibly, political turmoil and economic conditions of Wurttemberg in the 1730's influenced Jacob, Sr's decision to emigrate. Or, maybe he felt a lack of opportunity due to not being able to inherit land or property. 

The Frontier Culture Museum of Staunton, VA notes that at least 120,000 German immigrants came to the U.S. between 1683 and 1776, many arriving at Philadelphia.  Wurttemburg was one region from which many German immigrants originated. Read a description of what it may have been like for the newly arrived immigrants and for the existing residents when the newcomers arrived in Philadelphia. 

By 1730, German immigrants had migrated across the Potomac into the northern Valley of Virginia, bringing distinctive German cultural icons into the region.  

For more info about Wurttemberg in the 1700's, see: Wilson, Peter H. (1995). War, State and Society in Württemberg, 1677-1793 (Cambridge Studies in Early Modern History). Cambridge University Press.

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