1805-1809, Barking Exercise, Benjamin Seth Youngs, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Falling Exercise, John Meacham, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Tennessee, Virginia, Winterthur Library
“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….”
1805-1809, Autobiographies & Biographies, Benjamin Seth Youngs, Dayton Metro Library, John Meacham, Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia
“We called and saw them have the jirks and asked them qustions and went on….”
1805-1809, Benjamin Seth Youngs, Correspondence, John Meacham, Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Reserve Historical Society
“I took the Jerks, & was the first person that had it in these parts. Sometimes I have had it in meditating on serious things when alone, sometimes by seeing the situation of the wicked, sometimes by reading, or hearing some striking expressions, sometimes in going about my common employment, & sometimes while in bed….”
1805-1809, Benjamin Seth Youngs, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, John Meacham, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Richard McNemar, Winterthur Library
“[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….”
1805-1809, Barking Exercise, Benjamin Seth Youngs, Correspondence, Falling Exercise, John Meacham, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Pennsylvania, Richard McNemar, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, 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….”