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
To erect Old Forge township in the city (county) of Luzerne.
Act 1145 of 1871 · P.L. 1239 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act relating to the lien of mechanics and others upon buildings, approved the sixteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, so far as the same relates to the counties of Lehigh and Northampton.
Act 1146 of 1871 · P.L. 1241 · May 26, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize freight railroads within the limits of the city of Philadelphia to salt their turn-outs and switches, and to remit certain penalties.
Act 1147 of 1871 · P.L. 1241 · 1871 · Scanned page
To allow the Penn Treaty Association of the city of Philadelphia to change the name of said association.
Act 1148 of 1871 · P.L. 1242 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the State ISIutual Building and Loan Association of Philadelphia.
Act 1149 of 1871 · P.L. 1243 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the "Washington Association of Frankford, Philadelphia.
Act 1150 of 1871 · P.L. 1244 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Eeliance Trust and Safe Deposit Company.
Act 1151 of 1871 · P.L. 1246 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lehigh and Eastern Railway Company, approved the tenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, fixing the time for the annual election of president and directors of said company on any day witliin three months from the date of the passage of this supplement.
Act 1152 of 1871 · P.L. 1248 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
To repeal an act consolidating the late townships of Byberry and ]\Ioreland, now the Third division of the Twenty-third ward of the city of Philadelphia, into one district for the support of the poor of said division.
Act 1153 of 1871 · P.L. 1249 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act incorporating the directors of the poor and of the house of employment for the townships of Oxford and. Lower Dublin, in the county of Philadelphia.
Act 1154 of 1871 · P.L. 1249 · 1871 · Scanned page
Directing the city of Philadelphia to take the franchises of the president, managers and company of the Gormantown and Perkiomen turnpike road.
Act 1155 of 1871 · P.L. 1250 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia and Delaware River Railroad Company," approved the fourth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-fonr.
Act 1156 of 1871 · P.L. 1251 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplementary to the several acts in relation to the borough of Chanibersburg. authorizing said borough to borrow money to lift its outstanding indebtedness, and regulating the election of borough officers therein.
Act 1157 of 1871 · P.L. 1252 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
To jncorporate the Carlisle and Xewville Turnpike Road Company.
Act 1158 of 1871 · P.L. 1253 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplemental to an act, entitled "An Act to protect ship-owners and regulate the licensing of stevedores in Philadelphia," approved the sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and
Act 1159 of 1871 · P.L. 1255 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
To repeal an act to change the venue in certain cases from Allegheny to Jefiferson county.
Act 1160 of 1871 · P.L. 1256 · 1871 · Scanned page
In relation to the assessment of damages against the Danville, Hazleton and Wilkesbarro Railroad Company.
Act 1161 of 1871 · P.L. 1256 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
To aiithorize a certain conveyance to be made to Amos E. Kapp for two certain lots of ground in the borough of Northumberland.
Act 1162 of 1871 · P.L. 1257 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Eclipse Lubricating Oil Company of the borough of Aladin.
Act 1164 of 1871 · P.L. 1259 · 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the state treasurer to pay the claim of >rrs. Nancv M'Guire, mother of John A. M'Guire, first lieutenant company I, One Hundred and Fortj'-eighth Pennsylvania volunteers.
Act 1165 of 1871 · P.L. 1260 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
Repealing an act appointing commissioners to lay out and open a state road from the borough of Wellsboro' to Marsh creek, by way of I. M. Bodine's, in the county of Tioga, approved April twenty-eighth, one tliousand eight hundred and seventy, and the supplements thereto.
Act 1166 of 1871 · P.L. 1261 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
1262 ■ No. 11G7. gin ^d Grantiug a gratuity and a pension to George Howell, of West Alexandria, Washington counlj^ Pennsylvania, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.
Act 1167 of 1871 · P.L. 1262 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the town council of the borough of Taylorsville, Indiana county, to levy tax for road purposes.
Act 1168 of 1871 · P.L. 1262 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplementary to an act granting a gratuity and annuity to Michael Swisher, of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve, construing the same.
Act 1169 of 1871 · P.L. 1263 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
Granting a gratuity and annuity to Catharine Snyder, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, the widow of a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1264 · April 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act approved the second day of April, one thousand eight hundi-cd and sixty-nine, authorizing the governor to incorporate the Peoples Turnpike or Plauk Koad Company.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1264 · 1871 · Scanned page
Repealing an act relating to bounties en fox scalps in the counties of Union, Lehigh and Lebanon.
Act 1172 of 1871 · P.L. 1265 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Brown's Run Turnpike and Plank Road Company.
Act 1173 of 1871 · P.L. 1266 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
To extend the provisions of an act relating to the better prrosecution of disorderly persons in the boroughs of Sharpsburg and Etna to the First precinct, Scott township, county of Allegheny.
Act 1174 of 1871 · P.L. 1268 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
To abolish the office of treasurer in the township of Rush, in the county of Schuylkill, and providing that the road taxes of said township shall hereafter be levied and collected by the supervisor or supervisors of said township.
Act 1175 of 1871 · P.L. 1268 · 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to road tax in tlie Sandy Hill district of tlie township of Madison, in the county of Perry.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1270 · 1871 · Scanned page
No. 1U8. Chartering tlie Allen Gas Light Company of the city of Allentown, Lehigh county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1271 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pennsylvania Wine Manufacturing Company.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1271 · 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the borough of Kutztown, in the cotmty of Berks, to borrow money.
Act 1180 of 1871 · P.L. 1272 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
To confer additional privileges on the Riverside Cemetery Association.
Act 1181 of 1871 · P.L. 1273 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran church in North America.
Act 1182 of 1871 · P.L. 1275 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the mayor and councils of the city of Franklin to settle the accounts of Josiah Adams with the borough of Franklin.
Act 1183 of 1871 · P.L. 1277 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to the extension of the limits of the borough of Milton.
Act 1184 of 1871 · P.L. 1277 · 1871 · Scanned page
To empow-er the court of quarter sessions of Huntingdon county to act upon an application for the formation of an independent school district at an adjourned term of April sessions, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Act 1187 of 1871 · P.L. 1279 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
Eelating to fences in the county of Susquehanna.
Act 1189 of 1871 · P.L. 1281 · 1871 · Scanned page
To prevent burial of the dead in the grave-yard of the Presbyterian church, in the town of Milford, and authorizing the removal of the dead now buried in the same.
Act 1190 of 1871 · P.L. 1282 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
To open and remove obstructions on the line of Rittenhouse street, Twenty-second ward, city of Philadelphia.
Act 1191 of 1871 · P.L. 1282 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the school directors of the South-Western district of Madison townsliip, in the county of Perry, to appropriate so much of the tax assessed for building purposes to the payment of the debt due for school purposes, for the school years ending June, one thousand eight hundred and seventy and seventy-one.
Act 1192 of 1871 · P.L. 1283 · May 29, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Chestnut Hill Driving Park Association.
Act 1193 of 1871 · P.L. 1284 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act providing for the appointment of superintendents and the election of supervisors in the Twenty-second ward of the city of Philadelphia.
Act 1194 of 1871 · P.L. 1285 · 1871 · Scanned page
To regulate the weight of anthracite coal delivered by retail coal dealers in the city of Philadelphia.
Act 1195 of 1871 · P.L. 1287 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the city of Carbondale.
Act 1196 of 1871 · P.L. 1290 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To enable the Philadelphia Commercial Wharf and Railroad Company to issue bonds, and to secure the payment of the same by mortgage.
Act 1198 of 1871 · P.L. 1292 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
For the protection of farmers and land owners, and the prevention of the destruction of fences and crops by horses, cattle, sheep or swine, in the townships of Exeter, Bern, Spring and Lower Heidleberg, in the county of Berks.,
Act 1199 of 1871 · P.L. 1293 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To declare the Jonestown road, from Eleventh to Twelfth streets, in the city of HarrisbuTg, a public street.
Act 1200 of 1871 · P.L. 1294 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to prevent horses, mules, sheep and hogs from running at large in North Heidelberg township, in the county of Berks," approved the seventeenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, extending the same to the township of Maxatawney, in said county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1295 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the councils of the city of Philadelphia to revise the grades in the Twenty-first vrard.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1296 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the commissioners of Union county to exonerate Rebert M'Clure. collector of state and county taxes for the borough of Lewisburg, from the payment of certain moneys collected by him.
Act 1203 of 1871 · P.L. 1296 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Xo. 1204. Authorizicg the commissioners of the county of Schuylkill to receive the returns of the state, county, road and school tax collected of the tovmship of Foster, Schuylkill county, -within twenty days after the passage of this act.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1297 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Humboldt Safe Deposit and Trust Company.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1297 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to assessors in tlie county of Berks.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1299 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the school board of the township of Ross, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money.
Act 1207 of 1871 · P.L. 1299 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Extending the time for Washington and Overfleld townships, in Wyoming county, to organize under the school law, and giving to them' the amount withheld from the state appropriation.
Act 1208 of 1871 · P.L. 1300 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To establish and maintain for the city of Philadelphia, a house of correction,employment and reformation for adults and minors.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1301 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplementary to an act relating to roads and bridges in the counties of M'Kean, Bedford and Venango, approved the ninth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1306 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To vacate a forty feet lane or street, sometimes called Sergeant street, in the Twenty-fourth ward of the city of Philadelphia, to vest the soil m the owners thereof.
Act 1211 of 1871 · P.L. 1308 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the state treasurer to refund certain collateral inheritance tax to the executor of the estate of Ellen Cooper, deceased.
Act 1213 of 1871 · P.L. 1310 · June 3, 1871 · Scanned page
To confirm and establish certain monuments in the borough of Smethport, county of
Act 1214 of 1871 · P.L. 1310 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Centennial Association of Philadelphia.
Act 1215 of 1871 · P.L. 1311 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to the sale of intoxicating drinlis in the borough and township of Girard, in the county of Erie.
Act 1216 of 1871 · P.L. 1313 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act for the presei-vation of the records of the inspectors of coal mines in the mining districts of Schuylkill and Luzerne, embracing the anthracite coal regions of Pennsylvania, approved the fifth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and
Act 1217 of 1871 · P.L. 1314 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing and requiring the commissioners of Butler county to publish lists of jurors.
Act 1218 of 1871 · P.L. 1315 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement To the act consolidating the city of Philadelphia, and empowering the councils of said city to fill all vacancies hereafter occurring in the board of guardians of the poor.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1316 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To provide for the assessment and payment of road damages to Gottlieb Simmons, of Wiconisco township, Dauphin county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1316 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to erect the town of Hamburg, in Berks county, into a borough, and for other purposes, approved April third, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1317 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplemental to an act, entitled "An Act for the promotion of manufacturing interests in thecity of Philadelphia," approved the seventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and
Act 1222 of 1871 · P.L. 1318 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Marine hospital of Philadelphia.
Act 1223 of 1871 · P.L. 1319 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the College of Mines.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1320 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Duquesne Literary Chib of Allegheny county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1321 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To repeal an act to prevent cattle, horses, sheep, mules and swine from running at large in the township of North Heidelberg, Berks county, approved the seventeenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1323 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To grant an annuity to Mary Bowers.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1323 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to authorize the board of school directors of the borough of Bethlehem, Northampton county, to borrow money, approved May third, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Act 1228 of 1871 · P.L. 1324 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the overseers of the poor of Woodward township, Clearfield county, to sell certain real estate.
Act 1229 of 1871 · P.L. 1325 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To divide the borough of Duiiniore into four wards.
Act 1230 of 1871 · P.L. 1325 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize James F. Wood, bishop of Philadelphia, to sell certain real estate in the borough of Pottsville, county of Schuylkill.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1327 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the borough of Norristown, in Montgomery county, to issue new bonds for the purpose of funding existing debt, et cetera.
Act 1233 of 1871 · P.L. 1329 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To extend to Mrs. ITaimah Sheely, of West Providence, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, widow of Andrew Sheely, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve, the benefits of the acts of assembly of the thirtieth of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and supplement thereto, of the twenty-fourth of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1331 · 1871 · Scanned page
To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to authorize the road commissioner of Mill Creek township, in the county of Erie, to compel the owners of land fronting on the Ridge road, to make side-walks and straighten and open out said road."'
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1331 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To aathorize the managers and directors of the Indiana Gas Light Company to transfer its franchises.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1332 · 1871 · Scanned page
Fu J^ft Entitled "A. further supplement to a supplement to an act, entitled 'An Act for the organization, regulation and discipline of the militia of the commonwealth,' approved May fourth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four," and approved April seventh, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy, relating to Lebanon county.
Act 1239 of 1871 · P.L. 1333 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizuig Mrs. Elizabeth Dougherty to convey real estate and act as a feme sole.
Act 1240 of 1871 · P.L. 1334 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act relating to the payment of bounties to volunteers, approved Iklarch twenty-fifth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four; so far as relates to the county of Adams.
Act 1241 of 1871 · P.L. 1335 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the West Pittston Water Company.
Act 1242 of 1871 · P.L. 1335 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Saving Fund Society of GermantoAvn and its vicinity," approved the sixth day of April, one thousand eight himdred and fifty-four.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1338 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the erection of a lock-up in the village of Wyoming, Kingston township, Luzerne county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1339 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Regulating the salary of the treasurer of Carbon county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1341 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
For the relief of Edward R.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1341 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Wilkesbarre and Inman's Hill Passenger Railroad Company.
Act 1247 of 1871 · P.L. 1343 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To increase the pay of associate judges of the recorder's court of the city of
Act 1248 of 1871 · P.L. 1345 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Williamsport Lumber Company,
Act 1249 of 1871 · P.L. 1345 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the People's Cemetery Company of Western Pennsyl- Corporators. Name. Corporate powers. Vacancies and membership.
Act 1250 of 1871 · P.L. 1346 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To reduce the enrolment tax on an act to incorporate the Baily's Station Rope Ferry Company.
Act 1252 of 1871 · P.L. 1350 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to the fees of road commissioners and auditors in the township of Conneaut, in the county of Erie.
Act 1253 of 1871 · P.L. 1350 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To change the mode of electing school directors in certain townships in the counties of Bradford and Susquehanna.
Act 1254 of 1871 · P.L. 1351 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to authorize the appointment of auctioneers in Luzerne county," approved April seventh, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and
Act 1255 of 1871 · P.L. 1351 · 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.