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 concerning the opening of Mt. Pleasant and other streets In the Twenty-second ward.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1352 · June 6, 1871 · Scanned page
To extend to Montour county the provision of an act relative to fees of justice of the peace, constables and attorneys at law in the counties of Westmoreland and Beaver, approved March twenty-second, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Act 1256 of 1871 · P.L. 1352 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to plans of survey and regulation in the city of Philadelphia.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1353 · June 6, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act relative to the Luzerne county prison and to discharged convicts, approved thirteenth Ajiril, Anno Domini cue thousand eight hundred aud sixty-eight.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1354 · June 6, 1871 · Scanned page
To aid the Indiana Xormal school of Pennsylvania.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1356 · June 6, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize a change of grade on Sixth street, from Lehigh avenue to Allegheny avenue, in the city of Philadelphia.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1357 · June 6, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Manayunk Bank, located in the city of Philadelphia.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1358 · June 14, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the councils of the city of Philadelphia to revise and change the grades of the streets of the Fifteenth ward of the city of Philadelphia, lying and being between Brown and Poplar streets, and between Twenty-fourth and Twenty-eighth streets; and also Adams street, between Rittenhouse and Harvey streets, Twenty-second ward. Section
Act 1262 of 1871 · P.L. 1358 · June 14, 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to legal proceedings by or against corporations.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1360 · June 19, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to erect the borough of Pittston into a separate election district, approved the twenty-second day of April, eighteen hundred and ' ■, ' fifty-four.
Act 1265 of 1871 · P.L. 1361 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to extend to the counties of Wayne and Luzerne the provisions of an act authorizing the reference of civil actions in the county of Bradford, approved on the twenty-third day of March, one thousand eiglit hundred and
Act 1266 of 1871 · P.L. 1363 · June 22, 1871 · Scanned page
To the further supplement approved the fifteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, entitled " A further supplement to an act relating to the payment of bounties to volunteers, approved March twenty-fifth, one thousand eight hundred and sixtyfour.
Act 1267 of 1871 · P.L. 1365 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To repeal the fifteenth section of an act, entitled "An Act further supplemental to the act relative to the elections of this commonwealth," approved April seventeenth, one thousand eight hundred and
Act 1268 of 1871 · P.L. 1365 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
Fixing au additional place of holding elections in Ilollenback township, Luzerne county, and creating two election districts in said township.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1366 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act approved May twenty-first, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, entitled "An Act to incorporate the White Deer Improvement
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1367 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
In relation to the stay of executions in the court of the Twenty-ninth judicial district.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1368 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To transfer the farm of Jacob Renner, for the purpose of taxation, from Springhill to Gilmore township, in Greene county.
Act 1272 of 1871 · P.L. 1369 · 1871 · Scanned page
To restore the tenth section of an act, entitled "A supplement to an act, entitled 'An Act to incorporate the Norristown and Freemansburg Railroad Company' " so far as the same relates to the vacating of Pennock street, in the city of Philadelphia.
Act 1273 of 1871 · P.L. 1369 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To lay out a road in the city of Philadelphia, from the Philadelphia and Trenton railroad, to Holmesbiirg station, eighty feet wide, to low water mark in river Delaware, and build a wharf at the foot of said street, for the use of the house of correction and the surrounding country.
Act 1274 of 1871 · P.L. 1370 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize a change of venue in certain actions pending in the mayor's court for the city of Scranton, and to authorize the recorder of the mayor's court for the city of Carbondale to hold certain courts.
Act 1275 of 1871 · P.L. 1371 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To vacate Meetler street, in the city of Philadelphia.
Act 1276 of 1871 · P.L. 1372 · 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act revising the charter of the municipal corporation of the city of Reading, approved the twenty-sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, relative to voters.
Act 1277 of 1871 · P.L. 1373 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To divorce William Arkless and Mary Ann, his wife. ^CTioN 1.
Act 1278 of 1871 · P.L. 1373 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to the sale of unseated land for taxes in Union county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1374 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To appoint trustees and authorize them to sell a certain tract of land upon which is erected a Eoman Catholic church, situate in the township of Kichmond, Berks county.
Act 1279 of 1871 · P.L. 1374 · 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to elections in the county of Bedford.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1375 · 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to the distribution of moneys raised by sheriflFs sales.
Act 1282 of 1871 · P.L. 1376 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To exempt the school bonds of Fayette City borough, in the county of Fayette, from taxation.
Act 1284 of 1871 · P.L. 1377 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
Extending an act for the relief of Joseph A. Allen and E. ISIays to ■\Villiam L. Keefer and Alexander Grant.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1378 · 1871 · Scanned page
To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to repeal the third section of an act, entitled 'An Act relating to judicial sales and the preservation of the lien of mortgages,' approved March twenty-third, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, as far as the same relates to orphans' court sales," approved March tenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy, so far as the
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1379 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Lock Haven, Xittany and Sugar Valley Narrow Gauge Railroad Company,'' approved the seventeenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Act 1287 of 1871 · P.L. 1379 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To reiieal an act, entitled "An Act regulating the fees of surgeons at coroner's inquests in the counties of Schuylkill and Mercer," so far as the same relates to the county of Schuylkill.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1380 · 1871 · Scanned page
Relating to Conemaugh loorough, in the county of Cambria.
Act 1290 of 1871 · P.L. 1381 · 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the borough of M'Keesport to compromise with the holders of the bonds of said borough, issued in payment of its subscription to tlie capital stock of the Pittsburg and Connellsville Kailroad Company.
Act 1291 of 1871 · P.L. 1382 · 1871 · Scanned page
For the relief of James Clark.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1383 · June 28, 1871 · Scanned page
Vacating Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-third. Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth streets, in the city of Erie.
Act 1292 of 1871 · P.L. 1383 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Ashley Savings
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1384 · 1871 · Scanned page
To validate the last will and testament of Meyer Schnurman, late of the city of Allentown, in the county of Lehigh, deceased. AViiEREAS, The last will and testament of Meyer Schnurman, late of the city of Allentown, in the county of Lehigh, deceased, bearing date the nineteenth da}^ of December, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixt\'-live, was proved before the deputy register of
Act 1295 of 1871 · P.L. 1388 · July 3, 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the grading, construction and making of West End avenue, in the county of Allegheny.
Act 1296 of 1871 · P.L. 1389 · July 5, 1871 · Scanned page
In relation to binding by the trustees of the Home for Friendless and Destitute ChDdren of the city of Wilmington, state of Delaware.
Act 1297 of 1871 · P.L. 1396 · 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the prothonotary of Northumberland county to issue a wholesale and retail liquor license to Joseph Yankirk and J. H. Jenkins, partners, trading under the firm name of Joseph Vankirk and Company, in Northumberland borough, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania.
Act 1298 of 1871 · P.L. 1396 · July 15, 1871 · Scanned page
Extending the provisions of sections sixth and seventh of an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Pittsburg Driving Park Assooiar tion," approved the day of Maj, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, and the ninth section of an act incorporating the New Castle Park Association, in Lawrence county, approved February, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, to
Act 1299 of 1871 · P.L. 1397 · July 21, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize Charles B. Dnngan, surviving trustee under the will of Isaac Harbert, deceased, to sell certain real estate. Section 1,
Act 1300 of 1871 · P.L. 1398 · 1871 · Scanned page
Extending the time for the report of the civil code commissioners.
Act 1 of 1871 · P.L. 1399 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page
Xo. G. f oiut ^cj^olutiow Memorializing congress in reference to tlie removal of obstructions in the Ohio river.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1402 · January 17, 1871 · Scanned page
No. t. §ml §mMmx Urging upon congress the speedy passage of the bill riow before it, giving soldiers of the late war, their widows and orphans, the right to locate and perfect title to one hundred and sixty acres of government land without occupancy.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1403 · January 20, 1871 · Scanned page
To instruct our senators and request our members of congress to oppose the passage of the bill to sell and transfer the Allegheny arsenal, at Pittsburg.
Act 8 of 1871 · P.L. 1404 · 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to the publication of the seventh volume of the transactions of the State Agricultural Society.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1406 · February 20, 1871 · Scanned page
Relative to the granting of land subsidies by the general government.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1407 · March 1, 1871 · Scanned page
Requesting our senators and representatives in congress to vote for additional legislation, protecting emigrants to this country.
Act 15 of 1871 · P.L. 1408 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page
Directing the attorney general to cause to be issued a writ of scire facias against the Erie Railway Corapany.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1413 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the International House Hotel Company.
Act 1302 of 1871 · P.L. 1416 · March 24, 1871 · Scanned page
To change the name of John R. Welles to John Welles Hollenback.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1417 · March 16, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Ligonier and Latrobe Railroad Company, approved April fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Act 1308 of 1871 · P.L. 1423 · April 4, 1871 · Scanned page
To incoriX)rate the Osceola Improvement Company.
Act 1309 of 1871 · P.L. 1424 · April 18, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement To the act incorporating the Clarion and Allegheny River Turnpike Road Company.
Act 1310 of 1871 · P.L. 1426 · March 1, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Corn Exchange Wharehousing Company of Philadelphia.
Act 1312 of 1871 · P.L. 1427 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Sierra Nevada Mining Company.
Act 1313 of 1871 · P.L. 1429 · 1871 · Scanned page
To exempt the indebtedness or moneys loaned to the Saint John's English Reformed church of the city of Allentown, from taxation.
Act 1315 of 1871 · P.L. 1431 · February 19, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act for the incorporation of several bridge companies, and for ®ther purposes," approved the fourth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thu-ty-eight, authorizing the board of managers of the Millerstown Bridge Company to increase their capital stock, changing the ratio of votes on the capital stock of said company, and the time of
Act 1316 of 1871 · P.L. 1431 · April 13, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Johnstown and Somerset Raih-oad Company.
Act 1318 of 1871 · P.L. 1433 · April 13, 1871 · Scanned page
Entitled "An Act to exempt the Snnbury Masonic Hall Association from taxation.
Act 1319 of 1871 · P.L. 1436 · February 18, 1871 · Scanned page
To exempt from taxation the parsonage of the English Evangelical Lutheran church of the city of Erie.
Act 1320 of 1871 · P.L. 1436 · March 20, 1871 · Scanned page
Extending the time for the sale of the real estate of Henry Effinger, deceased.
Act 1321 of 1871 · P.L. 1437 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Tamaqua IJfe Insurance and Tnist Company of Schuylkill county.
Act 1322 of 1871 · P.L. 1438 · April 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Wyoming Valley Gas and Water Company,
Act 1324 of 1871 · P.L. 1439 · 1871 · Scanned page
To annul the marriage contract between John C. Hiestand and Mary Juliet Hiestand, his wife.
Act 1325 of 1871 · P.L. 1442 · April 7, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Cowan esque Valley Railroad Company.
Act 1326 of 1871 · P.L. 1443 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Shawnee Railroad and Bridge Company.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1444 · April 15, 1871 · Scanned page
To establish a rope ferry near the mouth of Dnrell creek, in Bradford. county.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1445 · 1871 · Scanned page
Extending the time for the payment of the enrolment tax on an act to incorporate the Buffalo Valley Railroad Company.
Act 1329 of 1871 · P.L. 1447 · April 15, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the North Coal Company.
Act 1330 of 1871 · P.L. 1447 · April 15, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorijorate the Ligonier and Latrobe Railroad Company," approved the fifteenth day of AiDril, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Act 1331 of 1871 · P.L. 1449 · April 17, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement To an act incorporating tlie Dimes Savings Institution of Allentown, now entitled Allentown Savings Institution, to increase its capital stock, and to create or extend the same.
Act 1332 of 1871 · P.L. 1450 · February 24, 1871 · Scanned page
To ratify the charter of the Delaware Bridge Company, granted by the legislature of New Jersey, and to enable said company to hold real estate.
Act 1333 of 1871 · P.L. 1451 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Harrisburg Ice Company of the city of Ilarrigburg.
Act 1334 of 1871 · P.L. 1453 · February 26, 1871 · Scanned page
To relieve the Lewisburp: Bridge ('oinp;iny from the taxation imposed on incorporated companies, for the years one thousand eight himdred and sixty-seven, one thousand eight hundred and aixtj'-eight, :md one thousand eight hundred and sixty-iiine.
Act 1 of 1871 · P.L. 1454 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Lincoln Market Company of Philadelphia.
Act 1336 of 1871 · P.L. 1455 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page
To change the name of Charles Saxton to that of Charles Niles, and to make the said Charles the lieir-at-law and adopted son of Philander and Sarah Niles, of Middlebury township, in the county of Tioga.
Act 1338 of 1871 · P.L. 1458 · March 18, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Sun bury Gas Company.
Act 1339 of 1871 · P.L. 1459 · March 22, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Mount Oliver Inclined Plane Company.
Act 1340 of 1871 · P.L. 1462 · March 23, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna river, at Milton, ' approved April sixth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty.
Act 1341 of 1871 · P.L. 1464 · 1871 · Scanned page
To Ijcorporate the Keystone Gas and Water Company of the city of Titusville.
Act 1342 of 1871 · P.L. 1464 · March 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Meadville and Titusville Railway Company.
Act 1343 of 1871 · P.L. 1466 · March 28, 1871 · Scanned page
To exempt the church property of the Presbyterian congregation of Mechanicsburg from tlie payment of count}', bounty, borough and school taxes.
Act 1344 of 1871 · P.L. 1467 · March 28, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the >'oithern Railroad and Navigation Company, approved March twenty-third, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Act 1345 of 1871 · P.L. 1468 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Sharpsburg and Etna Gas Companj', in the borough of Sharpsburg, county of Allegheny.
Act 1346 of 1871 · P.L. 1468 · 1871 · Scanned page
To establish a ferry over the Monongahela river, at Bellevernon.
Act 1347 of 1871 · P.L. 1469 · April 2, 1871 · Scanned page
To authorize the trustees of Hancock Lodge, number forty-three, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the state of Pennsylvania, to sell certain real estate.
Act 1350 of 1871 · P.L. 1475 · April 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to establisli a ferry over the Monongahela river, at the New Store,'' enacted ontiie tweuty-fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord one tbousand and seven hundred and eighty-three.
Act 1351 of 1871 · P.L. 1476 · 1871 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Pittsburg, Allegheny and Manchester Passenger Railway Company to purchase or lease other street or passenger railroads, in Allegheny county, and to issue bonds to the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Act 1352 of 1871 · P.L. 1477 · April 2, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Chester Passenger Railroad Company,"' approved the eighth day of April, Anno Domini one* thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1479 · April 4, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lincoln Market Company, approved March twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and
Act 1356 of 1871 · P.L. 1482 · April 4, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Malvern Coal Company of the State of Pennsylvania.
Act 1357 of 1871 · P.L. 1482 · 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the State Line and Juniata cnilroad.
Act 1358 of 1871 · P.L. 1484 · April 5, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Conneaut Police Company of Crawford county.
Act 1359 of 1871 · P.L. 1486 · April 5, 1871 · Scanned page
To exempt certain church parsonages in the city of Philadelphia from taxation.
Act 1360 of 1871 · P.L. 1486 · April 5, 1871 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pittsburg Coal and Mining Company.
Act of 1871 · P.L. 1487 · April 5, 1871 · Scanned page
To inoorporate the Elk and M'Kean Railroad Companj.
Act 1302 of 1871 · P.L. 1490 · April 5, 1871 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act incorporating the ISIutual Fire Insurance Company of Berks county, approved January thirty-'first, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
Act 1363 of 1871 · P.L. 1491 · April 5, 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.