Excerpt from the Journal of William Williamson (June 28–29, 1804)
“Saw much of what is called the jirks…. Set out for home with anxious mind.”
Excerpt from Richard McNemar’s “General Review” (July 1804)
“The jerking & barking exercises were astounding….”
Excerpts from Lorenzo Dow’s History of Cosmopolite (October 1–19, 1804)
Camp-meeting commenced at Liberty: here I saw the jerks; and some danced: a strange exercise indeed….
Excerpt from the Journal of Learner Blackman (October 20–21, 1804)
“[M]et with…Lorenzo Dow at a meeting at Liberty Hill on Nashville. There I saw much of the dancing and jerking exercises among those of the best standing in society. This was and still is in many respects an unaccountable exercise to me….”
Published Letter from James Robinson to Ashbel Green (November 10–December 10, 1804)
“In Greenbriar, the first subjects of these strange exercises were two firm and steady professors of religion, men of firm nervous systems…. These strange appearances have crossed the Allegany [Mountains] and seem to be progressing pretty fast eastward….”
