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History of the Jerks: Bodily Exercises and the Great Revival (1803–1967)
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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 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….”

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….”

Excerpts from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (March 23–May 23 1805)

Excerpts from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (March 23–May 23 1805)

1805-1809, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, 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….”

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