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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 Thomas Hunt’s “Autobiographical Sketches” (ca. 1804)

Excerpt from Thomas Hunt’s “Autobiographical Sketches” (ca. 1804)

1802-1804, Autobiographies & Biographies, Barking Exercise, Library of Congress

“This work [the Kentucky Revival] continued until the year 1805, with various manifestations and opperations of outward power, such as the jerks, barks, singing, dancing, shouting, and the like….”

Excerpt from “The Life and Times of Robert B. McAfee” (1804)

Excerpt from “The Life and Times of Robert B. McAfee” (1804)

1802-1804, Autobiographies & Biographies, Dancing Exercise, Falling Exercise, Presbyterians, Uncategorized, Western Kentucky University

“The Religious excitement still continued followed with what was called the Jirks, (strong Spasmodic excitement) dancing & falling down Sermons at New Providence & the churches generally….”

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 David Spinning’s “Short Sketch” (ca. 1804)

Excerpt from David Spinning’s “Short Sketch” (ca. 1804)

1802-1804, Autobiographies & Biographies, Falling Exercise, Ohio History Center, Other Bodily Exercises & General References

“[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….”

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