Writing to his mother-in-law in Virginia, Presbyterian minister Samuel Graham Ramsey describes the burgeoning revival that gripped his congregation near Knoxville, Tennessee, during the summer and fall of 1803. Ramsey inventories the various “specimens” that fall under the broader “Genus” of bodily exercises: falling, dancing, laughing, running, walking, pointing, fighting. The ”most Common” of these controversial somatic manifestations, he concludes, were the jerks. Click here for a related letter by Ramsey’s wife, Eliza. Conjectural readings and contextual notes appear in square brackets.
Dear honored Ma,
I have too long Omitted writing to you, not for want of affection nor a desire to Contribute to your happiness; but the unfrequency of Any direct Accidental Conveyance, the uncertainty of postage, together with An invincible [Aversion] from writing Occasioned by the increase of bodily indisposition. These Madam I hope will form A sufficient apology for my neglect of [writing] to you. And even now when A favourable Opportunity presents I find some difficulty in Collecting matter for a letter that may merit your attention; but a letter of some sort you shall have.
When I Contemplate your situation, A lonely widow, and A bereaved Parent as to the personal Communion and society of most of your children, A troublesome ensnaring world to grapple with &c. &c. I cannot but shed a sympathetic tear, and participate in those Cares, anxieties, and distresses which no doubt interrupt your peace; but Again when I [again reflect], that you Are in the hands of A tender And Compassionate God, who knows his own children, who loves them, protects them from the power and Malevolence of their spiritual enemies, supports them in six troubles, and in seven will not forsake them, And who has said that all things shall work together for good to those who love him, yea that he will never leave them nor forsake them: I say when I Consider these things, the scene brightens, and I can with chearfulness Commit you and yours to his guardian Care, Comfortably persuaded that his promises will be ratified with regard to you [and] more especially when I attend to the promises that are made particularly to persons in your situation, such as, I will be A Father to the fatherless and A husband to the widow &c. “A Father of the fatherless & A Judge of the widow is God in his holy habitations.” “Thy Maker is thine husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name.” I am not A good Commentator, but As I intimated these, and such scripture promises and declarations Are sufficient at first view to Allay Any Anxieties that [I] may feel with regard to you Or yours And repeat them here that you may realize them, and desire that Comfort And support from them that they Are Calculated to administer.
I have not heard A word from Our friends in Kentucky since we left them last winter, and therefore Can Communicate no intelligence respecting them at this time.
The attention of all sorts, sizes, ranks and dispositions of men from the highest to the lowest, and from the oldest to the child of five, has been excited to the great Objects of religion during the Course of the past summer and Autumn, One way Or Another. Some Are greatly Opposed to the present appearances that Obtain in Our religious Assemblys, and Others Are as highly entertained And pleased. You have no doubt had very different, and some very extravagant reports respecting us and Our religion. And it is A fact, that very strange things of this nature have and still exist. In the first place we Are exercised in A religious way we think. This is the Genus As general name for the thing; but there Are A great many specimens of the exercise. There is the jerking; this is the most Common. In addition to this, there is the dancing, Laughing, running, walking, pointing, fighting and falling exercise. In each of these kinds of exercises, the subjects profess to experience the highest degree of happiness, and so well pleased, that they profess their willingness that they should always be exercised. But however strange and uncommon these appearances Are And however they have been And still Are disapproved and spoken Against, by the [enemies] of religion, the effects produced Are such, As evidence the work to be [of God]. Old professors are revived And Comforted. Careless thoughtless sinners [are] brought Anxiously to inquire what shall I do to be saved? In short, [a] very Manifest change appears in the moral features of Our Country.
With regard to family Circumstances, Mrs. Ramsey enjoys better health since About the time Our last child died, than since she was attacked by the meazles last fall. And surviving children Ann Amelia, and Reynolds Are very healthy and growing. As to myself, the state of my health is yet precarious. I have put myself under the Care of a Doctor McNeal of Knoxville. The success of his applications time must determine.
Sister Priscilla never thinks worthwhile to write me even A line, however I must love her, and pray for her happiness both in time And throughout eternity. And now dear Ma, I will Conclude my long letter, by praying heavens richest blessings may rest upon you. I am in bonds of affection your [unworthy] son,
Samuel G. Ramsey
November 29, 1803
Mrs. Ramsey has written sister Bratten pretty lengthily, and as Our notice of this Conveyance has been but short, desires to be excused for not writing to Ma and sister Prisey; but unites with me in tendering Our warmest Affections to you both, and to Brother William.
S. G. R.
P. S. Capt. Fleming is A branch of that family with whom we are so intimate and from whom we have received so may favours. Any kindness therefore you may shew to him shall be Considered as done to your children.
S. & E. Ramsey
Botetourt County
Virginia
Attention Capt. S. Fleming
Source
Samuel G. Ramsey to Anne (Nancy) Fleming, November 29, 1803, box 1, George Addison Baxter Papers, Collection 003, Special Collections, Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.
