The Pennsylvania Register
Every law Pennsylvania has passed
55,382 acts of the General Assembly, from William Penn’s first assembly in 1682 to 2026. Until 1874 much of the Assembly’s work was “special” legislation for a single person, company or town: a divorce, a road, a tavern license. That year’s constitution barred local and special laws on most subjects, and the yearly count fell; lately it is about 150.
Not yet complete · The state has not yet digitized its session laws act by act for most years between 1851 and 1949. We filled what we could from scans of the printed volumes: every year from 1851 to 1875 and most sessions from 1877 to 1907. A computer read those titles, so they can contain misspellings, and a few acts in each year were missed. Most years from 1909 to 1949 are still thin (marked below). Every other year is complete, from 1682 through 1850 and from 1950 to today.
5,371 laws of the 1850s
Constitution of 1838
To incorporate the Towanda Gas and Water Company.
Act 711 of 1859 · P.L. 730 · April 13, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pittsburg, Allegheny and Manchester Passenger Railway (Jompany.
Act 712 of 1859 · P.L. 733 · April 12, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Washington Monnnient Association of the First School District of Pennsylvania. Preamble
Act 713 of 1859 · P.L. 738 · April 15, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pittsburg and Birmingham Passenger Railroad Com-,^, ^.■ pany.
Act 719 of 1859 · P.L. 749 · April 13, 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Bear Mountain Railroad Company, and for other purposes, passed thirteenth of July, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two.
Act 720 of 1859 · P.L. 753 · April 14, 1859 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Bostwick Iron Company to Mine Coal, et cetera.
Act 721 of 1859 · P.L. 754 · April 9, 1859 · Scanned page
Extending the time for the commencing of tlio Columbia and Octoraro Railroad beyond tlie time allowed by its act of incorporation and.suppleinent.s thereto,
Act 722 of 1859 · P.L. 754 · January 20, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Farmers' and Citizens' Hay and Straw Market Compa'ny.
Act 723 of 1859 · P.L. 755 · April 14, 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act incorporating the Venango Railroad Company.
Act 724 of 1859 · P.L. 757 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page
In relation to Edith T. Greene, of Canton township, Bradford county.
Act 726 of 1859 · P.L. 758 · April 19, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Sunbury Gas Company.
Act 727 of 1859 · P.L. 759 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the German Hall of Arts.
Act 728 of 1859 · P.L. 759 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act to incorporate the Greemvood Cemetery Company of the borough of Tamaqua.
Act 729 of 1859 · P.L. 763 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page
To confirm the title of Charles "Whitney and Asa Scott to certain lands in Warren county.
Act 730 of 1859 · P.L. 764 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Selinsgrove Bridge Company, approved the eighteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight liundred and fifty-seven.
Act 731 of 1859 · P.L. 765 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page
For the pay of 'William E. Frazer, as Canal Commissioner,
Act 10 of 1859 · P.L. 772 · March 1, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Bedford Iron Company.
Act of 1859 · P.L. 780 · April 9, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Home Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia.
Act 734 of 1859 · P.L. 782 · March 14, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Washington Fire Company of Germantown, in the city of Philadelphia.
Act 735 of 1859 · P.L. 784 · April 18, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Leverington Cemetery in the Twenty-first Ward of Philadelphia.
Act 738 of 1859 · P.L. 788 · May 13, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Johnstown Woollen Manufacturing Company.
Act of 1859 · P.L. 789 · May 16, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Octoraro Bank.
Act of 1859 · P.L. 792 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Supreme Grand Council of the Independent Order of the Sons of Malta of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Act of 1859 · P.L. 795 · February 27, 1859 · Scanned page
To Change the Name of the Allegheny Institute and Mission
Act 743 of 1859 · P.L. 797 · March 5, 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the M'Kean Couuty Railroad Company.
Act 744 of 1859 · P.L. 798 · March 10, 1859 · Scanned page
Chartering a Water Company in Centre Hali. Centre county.
Act 745 of 1859 · P.L. 799 · March 17, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Bedford Railroad Compaiiy.
Act 746 of 1859 · P.L. 800 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Lahaska Insurance Company.
Act 747 of 1859 · P.L. 802 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Tyrone City Water Company.'
Act 748 of 1859 · P.L. 803 · 1859 · Scanned page
To provide for the erection of a New County out of parts of the counties of Erie, Crawford and Warren.,
Act 749 of 1859 · P.L. 804 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Greensburg Gas and Water Company.
Act 750 of 1859 · P.L. 808 · April 1, 1859 · Scanned page
To authorize Sarah Augusta Salmon, administratrix ofWilliam C. Salmon, deceased, to sell and convey Real Estate.
Act 752 of 1859 · P.L. 812 · April 16, 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act incorporating the Lancaster, Lebanon and Pinegrove Railroad Company.
Act 753 of 1859 · P.L. 812 · April 15, 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Delaware, Lehigh and "Wyoming Valle}' Railroad Company," approved March fourteen, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Act 755 of 1859 · P.L. 814 · April 16, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the American Literary Union of Philadelphia.
Act 756 of 1859 · P.L. 815 · April 19, 1859 · Scanned page
To change the name of Virginia Lind Holland.
Act 7 of 1859 · P.L. 817 · April 20, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Dimes Saving Institution of York.
Act 759 of 1859 · P.L. 818 · April 21, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Abington Springs Hotel Company.
Act 760 of 1859 · P.L. 820 · April 22, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pennsylvania Literary Union of the city of Philadel-, phia.
Act of 1859 · P.L. 825 · January 4, 1859 · Scanned page
To enable the city of Pittsburg to raise Additional Revenue.
Act 765 of 1859 · P.L. 828 · January 4, 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled '< An Act to incorporate the "Wrightsvllle, New Holland and Conewago Railroad Company,
Act 766 of 1859 · P.L. 829 · 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Danville Railroad Company," approved the sixteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty.
Act 767 of 1859 · P.L. 830 · April 15, 1859 · Scanned page
Relative to the Sale of Unseated Lands in the county of Elk.
Act of 1859 · January 19, 1859 · Scanned page
To change the time of holding Township Elections in the county of Forest.
Act of 1859 · January 27, 1859 · Scanned page
To fix tbe plac-c of holding Elections in Orwell township, in Bradford county.
Act 1 of 1859 · January 13, 1859 · Scanned page
Cbanging the place of lioldirg the General and Township Elections m Highland township, Elk county.
Act 2 of 1859 · 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act incorporating the Bedford Railroad Company, approved the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Act 7 of 1859 · January 20, 1859 · Scanned page
To abolish the offices of Canal Commissioner and State Engineer.
Act 8 of 1859 · January 25, 1859 · Scanned page
To consolidate the stock of the Girard Bank of the city of Philadelphia.
Act 9 of 1859 · January 25, 1859 · Scanned page
To change the place of holding the Elections in the township of Jenks, in the county of Forest.
Act 10 of 1859 · January 25, 1859 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Allegheny Insurance Company.
Act 13 of 1859 · January 27, 1859 · Scanned page
To authorize the Court of Common Pleas of Union county to appoint a Trustee to receive and apply certain money bequeathed by John Brown, deceased.
Act 14 of 1859 · January 27, 1859 · Scanned page
Changing the time of holding the Spring Election in the borough of Titnsville, Crawford county.
Act 15 of 1859 · January 27, 1859 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Spinnerstown and Goshen- Iiopptjn Tiiiui)ike Koad Companj'," approved the tvventy-fdurth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Act 16 of 1859 · January 27, 1859 · Scanned page
Relative to the Purchase of Pardon's Digest.
Resolution 1 of 1859 · P.L. 767 · January 20, 1859 · Scanned page
Relative to the fitting up the Halls of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Resolution 3 of 1859 · P.L. 768 · February 3, 1859 · Scanned page
Relative to the payment of Claims allowed by the late Board of Canal Commissioners.,
Resolution 4 of 1859 · P.L. 769 · February 4, 1859 · Scanned page
Relative to the pay of A. L. Linton, for services as Clerk to Contested Election Committee.
Resolution 5 of 1859 · P.L. 769 · February 4, 1859 · Scanned page
Kelative to a copy of Geological Survey for the School
Resolution 6 of 1859 · P.L. 770 · February 11, 1859 · Scanned page
Of thanks to Mr. L.
Resolution 7 of 1859 · P.L. 770 · February 23, 1859 · Scanned page
To pay Thomas H. Porter, late a member from tbe county of Cambria, and J. H. Wells, Clerk of the Contested Election Committee.
Resolution 9 of 1859 · P.L. 771 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page
To pay the Funeral Expenses of George W. Wood,
Resolution 11 of 1859 · P.L. 773 · March 3, 1859 · Scanned page
To pay D. R. M'Clain, late a Member of the House of Representatives.
Resolution 12 of 1859 · P.L. 773 · March 5, 1859 · Scanned page
To pay the Expenses of the late Committee appointed by a Resolution of the House of Representatives of 1858, to investigate into the condition of certain banks.
Resolution 13 of 1859 · P.L. 774 · March 5, 1859 · Scanned page
Relative to the salary of George W". Wood, deceased, as a Member of the House.
Resolution 14 of 1859 · P.L. 774 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page
To direct the Surveyor General to issue a Patent to John "Williams, Jr. Whekeas, J. R. Morrison, on the thirty-first day of December, one thousand eight huadred and fifty-three, paid to B. S. Schoonover, at that time a clerk in the surveyor general's office, the sum of fourteen dollars and seventy-one cents, in order to pay the same into the state treasury, it being the arrears of the
Resolution 15 of 1859 · P.L. 775 · 1859 · Scanned page
To pay the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms for serving with the committee to examine into the condition of certain Banks.
Resolution 16 of 1859 · P.L. 775 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page
For the pay of L. Rogers, Clerk in the Contested Election case of Matthews vs.
Resolution 18 of 1859 · P.L. 777 · April 13, 1859 · Scanned page
To pay George H. Lenhart and Jacob P. Hoffman, Folders in the House.
Resolution 19 of 1859 · P.L. 777 · April 13, 1859 · Scanned page
Authorizing the State Treasurer to pay to the Treasurer of Armstrong county the deficiency of the Militia Fund, to which the several Companies in said county are entitled.
Resolution of 1859 · P.L. 778 · April 15, 1859 · Scanned page
Relative to the pay of Pasters and Folders of the House.
Resolution 20 of 1859 · P.L. 778 · April 14, 1859 · Scanned page
By decade
Constitution of 18741874–1967
Constitution of 17761776–1789
- 1780s 567
1682–1801: the Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania. 1802–1974: the Pamphlet Laws (Laws of the General Assembly). Both from the scans published by the Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau, which link to each original page. 1975 onward: the General Assembly’s own record of legislation enacted, which adds approval dates and bill numbers. Years the Bureau hasn’t indexed act by act come from the annual Laws of the General Assembly as scanned by the Internet Archive and Google Books: we split each volume into acts by their approval lines, and each one links to its scanned page. Before 1975 each year’s appropriation acts were scanned as one bundle, so they aren’t listed one by one. Proposed constitutional amendments, vetoed bills and reorganization plans are left out. Subject lines are the Bureau’s and the General Assembly’s, not the laws’ full titles.