Robert Breckinridge McAfee, a young lawyer from Mercer County, Kentucky, recorded a wide range of revival events in the diary he kept from 1798 to 1808. During the spring of 1804, he reported that a new “shuddering” exercise had developed among his neighbors in the New Providence Presbyterian church and at nearby Cane Run (now Burgin, Kentucky). McAfee’s brief observations are among the earliest recorded descriptions of the jerks in Kentucky. Conjectural readings and Latin translations appear in square brackets.
April 21st, [1804]. Raining. I went to New Providence Meeting. Reverend T. Clelland preached & before sermon we had some unusual religious exercises. A man while singing had a fit of shuddering & then turned round three or four times very swift then hollow’d out & fell down. He made his feet rattle on the flour in a erect posture & then pray’d a sensible prayer. I think an effect on the nerves. Saw a great many people [&] friends & then returned home. I am bene [well]. Many difficulties present themselves. I must persevere depend & hope. Gratiam Deum [I am thankful to God].
[April] 22d. Returned to meeting again. It rained. There was a numerous assembly. We again had the shuddering turning round & falling exercise of religion. Videbam [I saw] P. H. I went to J. McAfees Senr. & staid omnis nocti [all night]. I am surrounded with difficulties. Sed bene [I am well]. Gratiam ad Deus [I am thankful to God]….
April 29th. Wrote a letter to A. Buckhannan a religious one, & went to society at A. Armstrongs. The religious people now have the Jirks which operates like Hickups. Gave my letters to A. B.; yesterday got a letter form William McBrayer circa [about] land business. I feel low in spirits, & anxious about future welfare. Deus [God] forgive my youth & cares, protect. G. D. [I am thankful to God]….
May 6. I went to New Providence Meeting. Mr. Robinson preac[h]ed a good Sermon. The people much animated with Dancing & the Jirks. I got a letter from Helena. Videbam [I saw] Miss J. McM. K [kissed?] a formosa puella [beautiful young woman] in the evening. The finest day possible. Nature seems to smile. I feel low in spirits. Sed Deus support. G. D. [I am thankful to God]…..
June 24th. At New Providence Meeting Mr. R. preachd a Sermon on faith but he crossd the line Several times. Several danc’d & had the Jirks which operated like the hickups tho much harder & Jirked their heads down like the act of a low bow. I then went to Mat Forsythes & staid all night very low in spirits. G. D. [I am thankful to God]….
July 1st. Sunday. A fine day. The appearance of all things being seasonable I went to religious society at Alex Armstrongs. A good many people. One man had the shudderings exercise of religion. Maj. Buckhorn veniebat cum nos [came with us] & staid till evening. I am bene [well]. O Deus [God] guide & protect. In mane apud [in the morning with] J. McC. I fear I am running into a maze of difficulties. O evert. G. D. [I am thankful to God]….
July 22d. I went to Cane Run Meeting a sacrament. Vast numbers of people & much exercise of dancing & falling down & Jirking. Mr. Clelland preach’d. I then returned to G. Thompsons & staid all night….
July 29. Returned past N. Providence to Society. Many was exercis’d by Jirking & dancing. I then returned home. Frater [Brother] John had sent a printed register of my Fathers family. I am bene [well]. G. D. [I am thankful to God]. I got the 1st volume of Bacons abrid[ge]ment….
Source
Robert Breckinridge McAfee, journal, 1803–1804, MSS 204, Manuscripts and Folklife Archives, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green.
