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History of the Jerks: Bodily Exercises and the Great Revival (1803–1967)
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Excerpt from Thomas Brown’s Account of the People Called Shakers (ca. 1805)

Excerpt from Thomas Brown’s Account of the People Called Shakers (ca. 1805)

1805-1809, American Antiquarian Society, Books, Essays & Treatises, Other/Unknown, Thomas Brown

“People of every age, sex, sect, and condition appeared to be more or less affected with the disagreeable operations of these exercises, not only at their meetings, but in their daily employments….”

Excerpt from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (January 11, 1807)

Excerpt from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (January 11, 1807)

1805-1809, Diaries & Journals, Shaker Museum/Mt. Lebanon

“Daniel Potters wife an unbeliever & had a for a long time been a bitter opposer in time of labouring, broke fourth by the power of God, Jerking & dancing with her hair all over her face….”

Excerpt from the Journal of Daniel Boler (ca. 1807)

Excerpt from the Journal of Daniel Boler (ca. 1807)

1805-1809, Diaries & Journals, Western Reserve Historical Society

“[O]ne of the [Shaker] Sisters looked sternly and solemnly at him when all of a sudden he was taken with the jirks and was jirked around the house and thro’ the brush and bushes and would at times be thrown…completely heels over head, flat on his back, and the [hickory] staff which he held in his hand would be thrown 20 or 30 feet from him….”

Excerpt from the South Union Shakers’ “Graveyard Book” (ca. 1807)

Excerpt from the South Union Shakers’ “Graveyard Book” (ca. 1807)

1805-1809, Anonymous/Unknown, Church Records, Western Kentucky University

“[Robert Pearce] Lived about 79 years; came to believers when about 40 years old, rec’d Faith through one Mikel Dodd; who told him that he was jerked about like a circus actor….”

Excerpt from the Journal of Constant Moseley (June 6, 1808)

Excerpt from the Journal of Constant Moseley (June 6, 1808)

1805-1809, Diaries & Journals, Western Reserve Historical Society

“Had meeting at Robert Houstens. A Blessed assembly of people, white, Yellow, & black…. [I]n singing our Songs, the power of God came upon them, some fell with jurks, Some leaping, some dancing. The whole multitude were in motion….”

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