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History of the Jerks: Bodily Exercises and the Great Revival (1803–1967)
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Letter from William Hill to Ashbel Green (January 20, 1804)

Letter from William Hill to Ashbel Green (January 20, 1804)

1802-1804, Correspondence, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Presbyterians, Running Exercise

“They have now the dancing exercise, the Jerking, exercise, the running exercise, the standing exercise, & even the shooting exercise…. I am afraid what I believe was a gracious visitation from heaven in the first instance will be brought into disgrace by these extravagances….”

Excerpts from Lorenzo Dow’s History of Cosmopolite (February 14–20, 1804)

Excerpts from Lorenzo Dow’s History of Cosmopolite (February 14–20, 1804)

1802-1804, American Antiquarian Society, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Methodists

“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)

Excerpts from the Journal of Robert Breckinridge McAfee (April 21–August 12, 1804)

1802-1804, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Falling Exercise, Presbyterians, Western Kentucky University

“The religious people now have the Jirks which operates like Hickups….”

Letter from Samuel M. Wallace to Anne “Nancy” Fleming (July 20, 1804)

Letter from Samuel M. Wallace to Anne “Nancy” Fleming (July 20, 1804)

1802-1804, Correspondence, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Presbyterians, Samuel M. Wallace

“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)

Excerpt from Richard McNemar’s “General Review” (July 1804)

1802-1804, Barking Exercise, Books, Essays & Treatises, Falling Exercise, Library of Congress

“The jerking & barking exercises were astounding….”

Excerpt from the Journal of Learner Blackman (October 20–21, 1804)

1802-1804, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Methodists, Millsaps College

“[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….”

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