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.'”
Letter from Samuel M. Wallace to Anne “Nancy” Fleming (July 20, 1804)
“Those who withdrew themselves last fall from the Presbyterian Church, perhaps, go to greater lengths, than any set, or sect, of people ever did. The Tenesse exercise has got very comon among them….”
Excerpt from Richard McNemar’s “General Review” (July 1804)
“The jerking & barking exercises were astounding….”
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….
