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History of the Jerks: Bodily Exercises and the Great Revival (1803–1967)
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Minutes from the Records of the Lexington Presbytery (November 6, 1804)

Minutes from the Records of the Lexington Presbytery (November 6, 1804)

1802-1804, Church Records, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Presbyterians, Union Presbyterian Seminary

“[The Presbytery] is hereby enjoined on all the members of this Presbytery to prevent as far as may be in their power, all extraordinary bodily exercises which appear voluntary & ostentatious…”

Published Letter from James Robinson to Ashbel Green (November 10–December 10, 1804)

1802-1804, Correspondence, Dancing Exercise, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Presbyterians

“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….”

Letter from Annie Baxter to Anne Fleming (December 29, 1804)

Letter from Annie Baxter to Anne Fleming (December 29, 1804)

Correspondence, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Presbyterians

“You must not beleive all you here of the bodyly affections &c amongst us. Their is so much more than the truth said that I have determined to belive nothing I do not see….”

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 Robert Stuart’s “Reminiscences” (ca. 1804)

1802-1804, Barking Exercise, Dancing Exercise, Falling Exercise, Magazines & Newspapers, Presbyterians, Running Exercise

“It was evident to every spectator, that this, and it may be said, in general, with respect to all the bodily exercises, that they were involuntary; for it seemed impossible that the body could be so agitated by any dictate of the will….”

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