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History of the Jerks: Bodily Exercises and the Great Revival (1803–1967)
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Excerpt from William Henry Foote’s Sketches of North Carolina (ca. 1804)

Excerpt from William Henry Foote’s Sketches of North Carolina (ca. 1804)

1802-1804, Barking Exercise, Books, Essays & Treatises, Presbyterians, Running Exercise

“A venerable clergyman now living…was affected by the jerks a few times…. Suddenly he began leaping about, first forward, then sideways, and sometimes, standing still, would swing backward and forward ‘see-saw fashion.’ This motion of his body was both involuntary and irresistible at the commencement….”

Excerpt from The Biography of Elder David Purviance (ca. 1804)

1802-1804, Autobiographies & Biographies, Falling Exercise, Presbyterians

“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 Jacob Young’s Autobiography of a Pioneer (August 1804)

Excerpt from Jacob Young’s Autobiography of a Pioneer (August 1804)

1802-1804, American Antiquarian Society, Autobiographies & Biographies, Methodists

“I made a pause, then exclaimed, at the top of my voice, ‘Do you leave off jerking, if you can.’ It was thought more than five hundred commenced jumping, shouting, and jerking. There was no more preaching that day….”

Excerpts from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (January 22–March 21, 1805)

Excerpts from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (January 22–March 21, 1805)

1805-1809, Barking Exercise, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Falling Exercise, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, 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….”

Letter from John Meacham, Issachar Bates, and Benjamin Seth Youngs to the Shaker Ministry (January 31, 1805)

Letter from John Meacham, Issachar Bates, and Benjamin Seth Youngs to the Shaker Ministry (January 31, 1805)

1805-1809, Correspondence, 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….”

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