The Shakers at South Union, Kentucky, maintained a record of deceased members known as the “Graveyard Book.” The entry for Robert D. Pearce includes a humorous anecdote involving the jerking exercise and a local ruffian named Michael Dodd. Little is known about Pearce. The Graveyard Book suggests that he joined the Shakers with his wife and children shortly after the organizion of the South Union community in 1807. Click here for another version of this curious “jerker tale.”
Lived about 79 years; came to believers when about 40 years old, rec’d Faith through one Mikel Dodd; who told him that he was jerked about like a circus actor; said Michael came to South Union at its commencement with some roughs to back him; attended camp meeting in the woods; walked about with a cane to insult all that pretended to be Shakers; the Sheriff walked after him, as to arrest him, he defended the Sheriff off with his cane, & walked backward; where he got the Exercise; & his big cane hurled many feet up I the air, & his body tossed in many attitudes; he would get his cane, but it would fly up in the saplings again. Sometimes he would hug a tree with his arms and legs, but could not hold to the tree, but roll over the ground, &c. the Sheriff let him alone, he would pant like a race horse; he and friends started home; he was exercised twice on the way; his clothes were torn off him in the bushes Robert’s helpmate (Leah) became an important Believer & his Grandchild (Lorenzo).
Source
Shakers—South Union, Ky., “South Union Graveyard Book,” 1811–1881, photocopy, 1, SC 1394, Manuscripts and Folklife Archives, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green.
