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.
5,365 laws of the 1870s
Constitution of 1838
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act revising the charter of the municipal corporation of the city of Reading," passed April twenty-sixth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Act 692 of 1871 · P.L. 758 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the North Reading Market House Company.
Act 693 of 1871 · P.L. 758 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to notaries public in the county of
Act 694 of 1871 · P.L. 761 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Safe Deposit Bank of Pottsville, Schuylkill county, approved the eighteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and
Act 695 of 1871 · P.L. 761 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the auditer general to examine and settle the claims of J. H. T. Jackson,
Act 696 of 1871 · P.L. 763 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to confer on certain associations of the citizens of this commonwealth the powers and immunities of coriDorations and bodies politic in law, and to confirm charters heretofore granted, approved the twelfth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, so far as relates to the county of Huntingdon.
Act 697 of 1871 · P.L. 764 · 1871 · Scanned page
In relation to public roads in the county of Chester.
Act 698 of 1871 · P.L. 764 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate Gouldsborough.
Act 699 of 1871 · P.L. 766 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to erect Norristown, in Montgomery county, into a borough.
Act 700 of 1871 · P.L. 767 · 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the president, managers and company of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company to construct a railroad from the point of intersection of the Lackawanna and Susquehanna railroad with the line between the states of Pennsylvania and New York, to an intersection of the Jefferson railroad, at or near the village of Susquehanna, in Susquehanna county, in the state of Pennsylvania.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 770 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To exempt all burial grounds and cemeteries from taxation in Philadelphia.
Act 102 of 1871 · P.L. 771 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the court of quarter sessions of Lancaster county to grant licenses to keep inns or taverns to John Yohn, of West Hempfield township, Lancaster county, and Lucas Fritz, of Columbia borough, in said county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 772 · 1871 · Scanned page
To vacate a part of Jones street, in the Ninth ward of the city of Philadelphia.
Act 704 of 1871 · P.L. 772 · 1871 · Scanned page
Increasing the compensation of supervisors in the township of Coolbaugh, in the county of
Act 705 of 1871 · P.L. 773 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Conshohocken Gas and Water Company.
Act 706 of 1871 · P.L. 774 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to authorize the burgess and town council of the borongh of Lehighton, Carbon county, to borrow money," approved the twenty fourth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 775 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To legalize the election of Aaron K. Gift, as county surveyor of Snyder county, and extending his term of oflace.
Act 108 of 1871 · P.L. 776 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
No. no. Belative to Mechanics' street, Twenty-firBtward,city of Philadelphia.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 777 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the school district of the borough of South Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money and provide for the payment thereof, and to sell real estate, et cetera.
Act 109 of 1871 · P.L. 777 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To exempt the county of Schuylkill from the provisions of an act, approved the tenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, entitled "An Act relative to huclcsters in the county of Dauphin.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 778 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to the sale of leasehold estate, machinery, fixtures and improvements in the county of Schuylkill.
Act 113 of 1871 · P.L. 779 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Repealing an act to prevent the hunting of deer with dogs in the county of M'Kean, approved the tenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight liundred and fifty-five.
Act 712 of 1871 · P.L. 779 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To repeal so much of an act approved the twenty-seventh day of JNIarch, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, entitled "An Act to prohibit the issuing of licenses within boroughs in certain counties,'" as relates to Perry county.
Act 714 of 1871 · P.L. 780 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To promote the prompt payment of taxes due from the estates of decedents, and other estates, in the county of Northampton and Lehigh.
Act 715 of 1871 · P.L. 780 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Allegheny Car and Transportation Company.
Act 716 of 1871 · P.L. 781 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To repeal an act approved May first, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, entitled "A further supplement to an act incorporating the Westminster Collegiate Institute, approved the twenty-seventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fiftytwo.
Act 717 of 1871 · P.L. 783 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to the fees of the crier of the several courts of Schuylkill county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 784 · 1871 · Scanned page
To repeal an act to extend the provisions of an act for the protection of sheep in certain counties, approved April eight, one thousand eight hundred aud sixty-two, to the townships of West Earl, Elizabeth and Upper Leacock, in the county of Lancaster, approved April eleventh, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Act 718 of 1871 · P.L. 784 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Provident Improvement Company.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 785 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Improvement and Co-operative Company, witli powers to acquire and improve property, to use and dispose of the same, to aid contractors and others, and for other purposes.
Act 721 of 1871 · P.L. 787 · 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to the preservation of trout in the counties of Union, Centre and Mifflin, and in Penn's creek and its tributaries.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 789 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Board of Ediication of the Presbyterian church in tbe United States of America, and to make them the successors of the trustees of the Board of Education of the Presbyterian church <of the United States of America, and of the permanent committee •on education for the ministry of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America.
Act 724 of 1871 · P.L. 791 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Increasing the number of school directors in the borough of Pottstown, county of Montgomery, forming an additional ward in said borough, for regulating the police of the.«iaid borough, and for other purposes.
Act 725 of 1871 · P.L. 794 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Philadelphia Publishing Company.
Act 726 of 1871 · P.L. 795 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To widen a street in tlie borough of Mifliinburg, Union county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 796 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the First German Reformed congregation of York, Pennsylvania, to disinter and remove the dead from their burial ground, and after such removal to sell said ground.
Act 128 of 1871 · P.L. 798 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to declare part of Conestoga creek, in the county of Lancaster, a public highway for the protection of fish, approved the secoud day of April, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and
Act of 1871 · P.L. 799 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act in relation to pleading and judgment, voluntary arbitration and additional return days for writs, in the courts of comnaon pleas in the Nineteenth judicial district of Pennsylvania, and the practice of the said courts thereon, approved April ninth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 800 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Providing for the change of lines on Seventh street, in the city of Cheater.
Act 731 of 1871 · P.L. 800 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the Coatesville Market House Company to borrow money.
Act 732 of 1871 · P.L. 801 · 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the election of four supervisors in Jenner township, Somerset county, and legalizinj^ the election of the same, of one thousand eight hundred and
Act 733 of 1871 · P.L. 802 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act relatina: to notaries public in Carbon and Wayne counties," approved the fifteenth day of April. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and tifly-sevon, extending the same to Cambria county.
Act 735 of 1871 · P.L. 804 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Eulalia Division of the Sons o Temperanco of Coudersport.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 805 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Granting annuity and gratuity to Barney Bigham and Michael Lawyer, soldiers of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve, from Adams county.
Act 139 of 1871 · P.L. 806 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Fixing the time of the commencement of the official term of the district attorney of Centre county.
Act 738 of 1871 · P.L. 806 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To a supplement to an act relating to the sale of certain islands in the Susquehanna, approved April thirteenth, one thousand eight hundred and
Act 140 of 1871 · P.L. 807 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplementary to an act authorizing the laying out of a state road from Brookville, in Jefferson county, by way of the mouth of Little Toby's creek, in Elk county, to Ridgway, Elk county, and for other purposes, providing for the completion of said road.
Act 741 of 1871 · P.L. 808 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To widen Cedar street, between Elm and Buttonwood streets, in the city of Reading.
Act 142 of 1871 · P.L. 810 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to extend the boundaries of the city of Erie," approved February twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred and
Act 143 of 1871 · P.L. 811 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To legalize the official acts of Calvin W. Case, a justice of the peace.
Act 744 of 1871 · P.L. 811 · May 12, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Rock Mount Mining Company.
Act 745 of 1871 · P.L. 812 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Nfrth and West Branch Railroad Company,
Act 746 of 1871 · P.L. 814 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors, wines, ale and beer, in certain boroughs and townships in the county of Allegheny.
Act 747 of 1871 · P.L. 815 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To enable the trustees of the proprietors of Ilanover township, Luzerne county, to convey certain lands, and to protect the remains of the early settlers therein, and to incorporate the Hanover Cemetery Company.
Act 748 of 1871 · P.L. 816 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to authorize the borough of Clearfield to erect water works.
Act 7 of 1871 · P.L. 818 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to the purchase by the city of Allegheny of so much of any turnpilie or plank road as is situated in said city.
Act 749 of 1871 · P.L. 818 · 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to the recorder of the city of Philadelphia.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 820 · 1871 · Scanned page
To obtain possession of real estate by purchasers at coroners', sherifts' and orphans' court sales within the county of Schuylkill.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 820 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the city of Titusville, Crawford county, to grarle, pave and curb the streets of said city, construct sowers, elect an auditor, and for other purposes.
Act 153 of 1871 · P.L. 824 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Thousand eight hundred and seventyone. JNO. W. GEARY. 832 LAWS OP PENNSYLVANIA, Borough of Kittan ing, and other boroughs and townships, authorizeil to elect commissioners. Proviso. Term of commissioners. Conapensatlon. ilcetlng of com niissioners. Organization. May purchase property, erect buildings, etc. Proviso. May borrov/ money. Ko. 754. Providing for the erection of a poor house in tlie county of Armstrong.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 831 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act incorporating the Manheim and Lancaster Plank Road or Turnpike Company,' now the Manheim and Lancaster Turnpike Company.
Act 755 of 1871 · P.L. 837 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To enable the supervisors of Shirley and Tell, in the county of Huntingdon, to increase the rate of assessment in said township and to make a certain road.
Act 756 of 1871 · P.L. 837 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing and requiring the school directors of Salem township, Luzerne county, to erect a school building, and borrow money and issue bonds for the same.
Act 757 of 1871 · P.L. 838 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the school directors of Neville township, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money and to issue bonds therefor.
Act 758 of 1871 · P.L. 839 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Conferring powers upon the Pit-Hole Valley railway, organized under the provisions of the act of April eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, entitled "An Act concerning the sale of railroads, canals, turnpikes, bridges and plank roads.
Act 759 of 1871 · P.L. 839 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act concerning streets and sewers in the city of Pittsburg.
Act 760 of 1871 · P.L. 840 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the supervisors of Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, to collect an additional road tax.
Act 161 of 1871 · P.L. 844 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to committing magistrates in the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 845 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Bachman Valley Railroad Company., Sectk^ 1.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 846 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pittsburg Driving Park Association.
Act 766 of 1871 · P.L. 849 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Lawrcnceville and Evergreen Passenger Railway Company.
Act 767 of 1871 · P.L. 850 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Philadelphia Warehouse Company.
Act 768 of 1871 · P.L. 852 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
For the relief of Elizabetli Weiser, of Berks county, widow of Peter Weiser, deceased, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.
Act 769 of 1871 · P.L. 855 · 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to the public schools in the borough of Knoxville, county of Tioga.
Act 770 of 1871 · P.L. 856 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To an adt, entitled "An Act for the prevention of the mutilation and destruction of show bills, placards, programmes, announcements, et cetera., and for the protection of the proprietors of places of amusement, merchants, manufacturers and others in the city of Philadelphia, and counties of Centre and Lancaster.
Act 111 of 1871 · P.L. 857 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act authorizing the city of Altoona to provide a supply of water and to borrow money, approved the ninth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 859 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Perkionicn Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Montgomery county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 860 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act appointing commissioners to lay out and open a state road from the mouth of Kettle creek, in Clinton county, up said creek to the south line of Potter count^^" approved the fourteenth day of April. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, vacating a portion of a state road from the mouth of Paddy's run, in the county of Clinton, to
Act 118 of 1871 · P.L. 866 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To extend the provisions of an act, approved. April fourth, one thcasand eight hundred and seventy, entitled "An Act to authorize the road commissioners of Ridgeberry township, Bradford county, to add tw"enty-five per centum to delinquent road taxes, and cause the same to be expended in the proper sub-districts," to the township of South Creek, in said county.
Act 779 of 1871 · P.L. 867 · May 15, 1871 · Scanned page
Exempting ground rents in Allegheny county from all taxation, except for state purposes.
Act 780 of 1871 · P.L. 868 · 1871 · Scanned page
To promote the business of lumbering in the counties of Clinton, Centre, Clearfield and Elk.
Act 781 of 1871 · P.L. 868 · May 15, 1871 · Scanned page
Appointing commissioners to lay out, locate and open a state road from Freeport, in Armstrong county, to Tarentum, in Allegheny county.
Act 782 of 1871 · P.L. 870 · May 15, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the wideninsof Delaware aveuue, and to locate the sam© conihmously upon the public plana of the city of Philadelphia.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 872 · May 15, 1871 · Scanned page
Enlarging the duties and powers of the commissioners of Fairmoiint park, by requiring them to take charge of Hunting park, in tlie city of Philadelpliia, and of tlie legacy of Elliott Cresson, providing for the planting of trees in said city.
Act 785 of 1871 · P.L. 873 · May 15, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act for makinpf an artificial road from the city of Philadelphia to the borough of Lancaster.
Act 786 of 1871 · P.L. 874 · May 15, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Bank of America," approved the twenty-seventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy, establishing the individual liability of the stockholders of said bank.
Act 787 of 1871 · P.L. 875 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement Toan act, entitled "An Act to provide an additional law judge of the several courts in the Fourth judicial district," approved the twentyseventh day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eij^ht hundred and sixty-tive.
Act 788 of 1871 · P.L. 876 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pittsburg and Western Company.
Act 789 of 1871 · P.L. 876 · May 16, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act relative to the Pottstown Gas and Water Company, approved April second, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Act 790 of 1871 · P.L. 877 · 1871 · Scanned page
For the relief of the Tieirs of Corn Planter, an Indian Chief.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 879 · May 16, 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to the election of commissioners' clerk in the county of York.
Act 793 of 1871 · P.L. 880 · May 16, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the trustees of the Pittsburg Synod of the Reformed church in the United States.
Act 794 of 1871 · P.L. 881 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act incorporating the City Bank of Scranton, approved the twentieth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Act 795 of 1871 · P.L. 885 · May 17, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the Bell'a Gap Railroad Company to decrease the number of directors.
Act 796 of 1871 · P.L. 886 · May 17, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Twenty-second Ward Bank of Germantown, to be located in the Twenty -second ward of the city of Pliiladelphia.
Act 797 of 1871 · P.L. 886 · May 17, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pennsylvania Rubber Company.
Act 198 of 1871 · P.L. 888 · 1871 · Scanned page
To enable the school directors of the borough of Mount Washington, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money.
Act 799 of 1871 · P.L. 889 · May 17, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Riraungham Insurance Company of Birmingham, Allegheny county,
Act 800 of 1871 · P.L. 890 · 1871 · Scanned page
To secure to laborers a lion for their labor in the county of Centre.
Act 801 of 1871 · P.L. 891 · May 17, 1871 · Scanned page
To erect an independent school and read district from a part of North Lebanon township, in the county of Lebanon.
Act 802 of 1871 · P.L. 892 · May 17, 1871 · 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.