Excerpts from Lorenzo Dow’s History of Cosmopolite (February 14–20, 1804)
“I had heard about a singularity called the jerks or jerking exercise, which appeared first near Knoxville, in August last, to the great alarm of the people….”
Excerpts from the Journal of Robert Breckinridge McAfee (April 21–August 12, 1804)
“The religious people now have the Jirks which operates like Hickups….”
Excerpt from the Journal of William Williamson (June 28–29, 1804)
“Saw much of what is called the jirks…. Set out for home with anxious mind.”
Excerpts from the Journal of Richard Green Waterhouse (June–December 1804)
“A strange and unknown Nervous Affection, or Disease, made its appearance, in a variety of forms, in different parts of the Counties of Knox and Blount…. [It] was termed; ‘the Jerks.'”
Excerpts from Lorenzo Dow’s History of Cosmopolite (October 1–19, 1804)
Camp-meeting commenced at Liberty: here I saw the jerks; and some danced: a strange exercise indeed….
Excerpt from the Journal of Learner Blackman (October 20–21, 1804)
“[M]et with…Lorenzo Dow at a meeting at Liberty Hill on Nashville. There I saw much of the dancing and jerking exercises among those of the best standing in society. This was and still is in many respects an unaccountable exercise to me….”
