The 39th report, 1862 contains the charter, by-laws, library rules, and list of subscribers and stockholders; the 42d, 1865 and 45th, 1868, List of members; the 46th, 1869, Amended charter; 77th, 1900, List of stockholders with addresses.

Ever since its foundation in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila. has preserved manuscript documents even after the information has been published. The secretaries, curators, librarians, editors & other officers of the Academy had all cached such papers somewhere for posterity. These holdings were largely brought together by Edward Nolan for his history to celebrate the 100th anniversary. He had hoped to have his long history published & presented as a memorial at that time. When funds were not available for printing, the ¿Short History¿ listed in the bibliography was used instead. The materials published here in microfilm form have always been locked away in the Academy¿s hall & always remained in the custody of the librarian.

Sir Matthew Nathan's account of the history of West Coker was originally published in 1957.