1805-1809, Barking Exercise, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Methodists
“[O]ne circumstance contributed not a little to interrupt the harmony of the meeting…, which was the wild enthusiasm displayed by a certain female…. [S]he exhibited at some times the jerking exercise, at other times the dancing exercise, and not unfrequently the [barking] exercise….”
Dancing Exercise, Falling Exercise, Laughing Exercise, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Uncategorized, University of Michigan
“[The Jerks consist] in a sudden inclination, or reclining, of the shoulders, and is so quick, that the head appears to move too slow for the shoulders…. This is common to both sexes, but with this difference, that men seldom have more than one jerk…; whereas, a woman will frequently continue a repetition of that motion…for ten or fifteen minutes, reclining backwards as far as her feet, or some other obstacle will permit her, and bending so far forwards, as almost to touch the floor with her head….”
1805-1809, Barking Exercise, Correspondence, Falling Exercise, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Western Reserve Historical Society
“Soon after they began to sing several were taken with the Jerks, while sitting on their seats. Their heads, & shoulders were Jerked back & forth, with such increasing violence, that in a few seconds their hats, & bonnets, & even hankerchiefs which were tied close to their heads would fly off. Some would soon be Jerked flat on the floor, in a manner very mortifying to all delicate feelings….”
1805-1809, Correspondence, Presbyterians, Virginia Historical Society
“The Jerks are making their apperance again and will spread generally with the lower class of people….”
1805-1809, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Duke University, Methodists, Other Bodily Exercises & General References
“Som Shouted Som cryd Som Had the Jurks and I was powerful tempted. I never Saw Aney person Have them befour and I Cannot Account for it. God only know the Causes….”
1805-1809, Anonymous/Unknown, Church Records, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Presbyterians
“There appears…reason to believe that in certain places, some instances of these bodily affections have been of such a nature, and proceeded to such lengths as greatly tended to impede the progress and to tarnish the glory of what, in its first stages, was so highly promising….”