The Council was first mentioned in the bylaws of 1866. Since that time it has passed through many changes in its functions, responsibilities and authority. These are recorded in the editions of 1869, 1893, 1924 and 1951. The minutes of the Council meetings have been preserved in three folio minutebooks, covering the years 1870 to 1951. Also present are two categories of loose documents, i. e. annual lists of members, 1887 to 1914, and the attendance rolls for the same years.