Anti-vaccination reports on compulsory vaccination

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: ZZ10c 12

Scope and Contents

This collection contains reports on alleged casualties from compulsory vaccination in the Philadelphia area. The reports may have been compiled as part of a petition to the Pennsylvania State Vaccination Commission, a state committee created to investigate vaccination and the practice of compulsory vaccination in Pennsylvania. Two affidavits and notes within reports suggest reports were written by C. J. Field.

Reports include statements from men at Reed House in Philadelphia who were vaccinated against their wills; an affidavit in which Dr. Frederick Preston says he is opposed to compulsory vaccination; affidavits, statements, and interviews discussing the deaths of people, especially children, following vaccination; reports from the vaccination raid at Laboratory Hill in East Falls; and reports regarding the vaccination raids upon passengers who arrived on the SS Haverford. Many reports specify the use of Mulford’s virus in vaccination. In one section (folder 2), the author advocates for armed resistance against compulsory vaccination.

Dates

1898-1902
1908-1912

Creator

Field, Charles J. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Charles J. Field was an anti-vaccinationist in Philadelphia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was particularly active in fighting against compulsory vaccination and filed a petition for mandamus against the principal of Keystone Public School for refusal to admit his child without vaccination. This case (C. J. Field vs. Ad[elaide] McGlumphy) ultimately went to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and compulsory vaccination was upheld.

Extent

0.2 Linear feet (1 half document box (3 folders))

Language of Materials

English

Subjects

Related Names

Creator

Field, Charles J. (Person)

Digital Material

Anti-vaccination reports on compulsory vaccination

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Anti-vaccination reports on compulsory vaccination
Author: Rayna Andrews
Date: 2026 May 14
Language of description: English
Script of description: Latin
Sponsor: Conservation and digitization of this collection was supported by a federal Save America's Treasures grant administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.