Excerpt from The Biography of Elder David Purviance (ca. 1804)
“But the bodily exercise (as it was called) seemed to change its manner of operation. The falling exercise became not so common, and the jerks succeeded….”
Excerpt from David Spinning’s “Short Sketch” (ca. 1804)
“[T]o return to my narrative of the Revival, it now went on with a great increase of numbers, & extended far and wide. The falling exercise continued; also much severe jirking. There were many now converts added….”
Excerpts from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (January 22–March 21, 1805)
“At 9 we eat breakfast & about 10 we went 3 Miles to Robert Tates a family of Jerkers. He is an elder of a Presbyterian society. 7 of his family have the Jerks with himself. 2 hours had conversations with several, & saw what was very wonderful….”
Excerpts from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (March 23–May 23 1805)
“[T]he exercises by the invisible power of God went pointedly to the destruction of all antichristian forms, and inventions of men by such exercises as Jerking…& the restitution of, the true worship of God by such as dancing….”
Letter from John Meacham, Issachar Bates, and Benjamin Seth Youngs to David Osborn (April 27, 1805)
“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….”
Excerpts from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (May 30, 1805–January 14, 1806)
“Charity M. came about 10 A.M. with the Jerks & in trouble & opened her mind to B. She said She received the Jerks to be a compelling power from God….”
