# Jerry Jerk — Doctor Syn character guide > Jerry Jerk in Doctor Syn by Russell Thorndike. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** young Jerk, Jerk, young Jerry, Jerry, Hangman Jerk, Master Jerry **First appearance:** 0000-i-dymchurch-under-the-wall ## Who they are Dymchurch's potboy and self-declared future hangman, whose bullet head and pluck make him the schoolmaster's private nightmare. ## In the story ### [The Coming of the King's Frigate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/ii-the-coming-of-the-king-s-frigate) Mentioned as the squire who backs up Doctor Syn's public drinking at the Ship Inn. ### [III: The Coming of the King's Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/iii-the-coming-of-the-king-s-men) The potboy and young ruffian, known as 'Hangman Jerk,' who fears no one and boasts of his ambition to be a hangman. ### [The Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/iv-the-captain) Young potboy; is grabbed by the ear by Captain Collyer and ordered to serve drinks. ### [A Bottle of Alsace Lorraine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/v-a-bottle-of-alsace-lorraine) Young Jerk reacts with horror at the idea of sailors in the church and is warned by the captain. ### [VII: Clegg the Buccaneer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/vii-clegg-the-buccaneer) Mentioned as the young man who helped carry the rum-barrel; his father is referenced. ### [Dogging the Schoolmaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/viii-dogging-the-schoolmaster) Protagonist of the chapter; follows the schoolmaster after witnessing ghostly riders and a mysterious intruder. ### [IX: The End of Sennacherib Pepper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/ix-the-end-of-sennacherib-pepper) The young hangman, secretly following the pair, witnesses the murder but faints from the horror, regaining consciousness at dawn. ### [X: Doctor Syn Gives Some Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/x-doctor-syn-gives-some-advice) Witnesses the murder and confides in Doctor Syn, who advises silence. ### [XI: The Courthouse Inquiry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xi-the-courthouse-inquiry) Arrives at school late, determined to confront the murderer Mr. Rash. He is summoned by Captain Collyer and enters the courthouse. ### [XII: The Captain Objects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xii-the-captain-objects) Follows the captain to the courthouse, nervous but excited, and is directed by Doctor Syn to an empty bench. ### [The End of the Inquiry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xiii-the-end-of-the-inquiry) Testifies only about seeing the mulatto with the harpoon; is surprised by Syn's agreement with the false conclusion and rebuffs the schoolmaster's advances. ### [XIV: At the Vicarage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xiv-at-the-vicarage) Dines with Doctor Syn, asks about the song's meaning, receives crowns and instructions to watch the mulatto and keep silent. ### [XV: A Landed Proprietor Sets Up a Gallows Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xv-a-landed-proprietor-sets-up-a-gallows-tree) Becomes a landed proprietor with a plot of marshland; plans to erect a gibbet on Lookout Mountain; returns one crown to Doctor Syn. ### [The Schoolmaster's Suit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xvi-the-schoolmaster-s-suit) Observes the confrontation between Imogene and Mr. Rash from the bushes, noting the hidden note and the schoolmaster's threats. ### [XVII: The Doctor Sings a Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xvii-the-doctor-sings-a-song) Observes the Doctor's violent madness through the shutter hole and alerts the captain. ### [Behind the Shutters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xviii-behind-the-shutters) Accompanies the group to the inn, sharing the captain's confusion about the night's events. ### [XX: A Terrible Investigation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xx-a-terrible-investigation) Appears from nowhere to join the investigation at the vicarage. ### [XXI: The Bo'sun's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxi-the-bo-sun-s-story) Has the pleasure of waiting upon the captain and Doctor Syn during breakfast. ### [A Curious Breakfast Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxii-a-curious-breakfast-party) Observes the breakfast confrontation, learns that the captain also witnessed the murder, and agrees to help set a trap for the Marsh's mysteries. ### [A Young Recruit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxiii-a-young-recruit) The young recruit being initiated into the Marsh smuggling ring; shows boldness and curiosity. ### [XXVI: The Devil’s Tiring House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxvi-the-devil-s-tiring-house) Recruited into Mipps's secret company, rechristened 'Jack Ketch,' and given a demonic disguise. ### [The Scarecrow's Legion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxvii-the-scarecrow-s-legion) Rides with the Scarecrow's legion, experiencing the thrill and danger of the smuggling operation. ### [The Fight at Mill House Farm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxviii-the-fight-at-mill-house-farm) Jerry Jerk observes the Scarecrow's command and later returns home to bed after the smugglers' escape. ### [A Certain Tree Bears Fruit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxi-a-certain-tree-bears-fruit) Proudly owns the gallows and discovers the real corpse of Mr. Rash hanging from it. ### [The Captain's Experiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxii-the-captain-s-experiment) Accompanies the captain and observes the experiment and the delivery of the blue paper. ### [Holding the Pulpit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxvi-holding-the-pulpit) Perches on the font cover during the crowded service and observes the blue paper in Collyer's pocket. ### [XXXVIII: Dymchurch-Under-the-Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxviii-dymchurch-under-the-wall) Grows up to become the Maidstone hangman. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/jerk - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters