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The 1776 ConstitutionThe laws of the land, set down plainly — and put to the people, one provision at a time.

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.

Clear

5,365 laws of the 1870s

Constitution of 1838

  1. To incorporate the Huston Township Co-operative Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Blair county, Pennsylvania.

    Act 1364 of 1871 · P.L. 1492 · April 5, 1871 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to an act amending the charter of the United States Iron Armor and Steel Manufacturing Company of Chester, Pennsylvania, approved the fourth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 1365 of 1871 · P.L. 1493 · April 5, 1871 · Scanned page

  3. To incorporate the Workingmen's Dime Saving Institution of Pennsylvania.

    Act 1366 of 1871 · P.L. 1494 · 1871 · Scanned page

  4. To incorporate the Warren and Jefferson Railroad and Coal Company.

    Act 1368 of 1871 · P.L. 1498 · April 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  5. To incorporate the Erie and Meadville Southern Railway Company.

    Act 1369 of 1871 · P.L. 1499 · April 6, 1871 · Scanned page

  6. To annul the marriage contracl between Eli Hollinger and Lizzie, his wife.

    Act 1370 of 1871 · P.L. 1500 · April 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  7. To incorporate the Wilcox and Howard Hill Improvement Company.

    Act 1371 of 1871 · P.L. 1501 · April 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  8. To incorporate the Central Latid and Mining Company.

    Act 1372 of 1871 · P.L. 1502 · 1871 · Scanned page

  9. To incorporate the Columbia Land and Mining Company.

    Act 1373 of 1871 · P.L. 1503 · April 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  10. To incorporate the City Insurance Company of the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 1374 of 1871 · P.L. 1503 · April 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  11. Supplement to the act incorporatinj? the West Chester and Philadelphia Uailroad Company, authorizing an increase of capital stock and to borrow money.

    Act 1375 of 1871 · P.L. 1507 · April 13, 1871 · Scanned page

  12. To incorporate the Two Lick Navigation and Improvement Company. Section

    Act 1376 of 1871 · P.L. 1508 · April 13, 1871 · Scanned page

  13. To incorporate the St. Charles Iron Company.

    Act 1378 of 1871 · P.L. 1511 · April 14, 1871 · Scanned page

  14. To incorporate the Cranberry Ferry and Bridge Company.

    Act 1379 of 1871 · P.L. 1513 · April 14, 1871 · Scanned page

  15. To exempt the church property of the Saint John's and Trindle Spring Lutheran congregation, situated in Mechanicsburg, in the county of Cumberland, from county, bounty, borough and school taxes.

    Act 1380 of 1871 · P.L. 1514 · April 14, 1871 · Scanned page

  16. To incorporate the Harrisburg Printing Association.

    Act 1381 of 1871 · P.L. 1514 · April 14, 1871 · Scanned page

  17. Supplement to an act incorporating the Bear Creek Railroad Company, approved the twentieth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixtysis.

    Act 1382 of 1871 · P.L. 1516 · April 14, 1871 · Scanned page

  18. To incorporate the Jefferson County Lumber Company.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1517 · April 16, 1871 · Scanned page

  19. To authorize the trustees of German Evangelical Lutheran church, and the trustees of the English Evangelical Lutheran church of Middle Lancaster, to sell real estate.

    Act 1384 of 1871 · P.L. 1517 · April 16, 1871 · Scanned page

  20. To incorporate the Indiana Gas Light Company.

    Act 1886 of 1871 · P.L. 1519 · 1871 · Scanned page

  21. To incorporate Trustees of the Lebanon Classisof the Reformed church in the United States. Preamble. "NVhereas, The ministers and elders forming the Lebanon 'Classis of the Reformed church in the United States, consisting of citizens of the state of Pennsylvania, have represented that by donations, bequests or otherwise, of charitably disposed persons, the}' are possessed of moneys for

    Act 1387 of 1871 · P.L. 1522 · April 18, 1871 · Scanned page

  22. To incorporate the Spruce Camp Run Improvement Company.

    Act 1388 of 1871 · P.L. 1526 · April 21, 1871 · Scanned page

  23. To exempt Milton town hall and market house, in the borough of Milton, county' of Northumberland, from taxation.

    Act 1389 of 1871 · P.L. 1528 · April 6, 1871 · Scanned page

  24. To incorporate the Penn Treaty Association of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 1390 of 1871 · P.L. 1528 · April 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  25. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Protection Fire Insurance Company, to be located in the city of Philadelphia," approved the thirteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fiftynine.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1529 · April 26, 1871 · Scanned page

  26. To incorporate the Orion Club of the city of Piiiladelphia.

    Act 1393 of 1871 · P.L. 1531 · April 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  27. To incorporate the Butchers' and Drovers'. Bank, to be located at Philadelphia.

    Act 1396 of 1871 · P.L. 1537 · April 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  28. Authorizing the governor to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the Susquehanna river, at or near M' Call's Ferry, in the county Lancaster.

    Act 1397 of 1871 · P.L. 1539 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  29. Authorizing the Reno Company to require of its officers, trustees, agents and employees to be

    Act 1398 of 1871 · P.L. 1544 · May 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  30. To validate the will of Christain Winebrenner, deceased, of Bedford county.

    Act 1399 of 1871 · P.L. 1544 · May 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  31. To repeal a former act relative to charges by the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad Company.

    Act 1400 of 1871 · P.L. 1545 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page

  32. To annul the marriage contract between Stephen Templin and Rebecca Templin, his wife. WiiEUEAS, Rebecca Stahl, of Chapman township, Union county, now Snyder county, I'ennsylvania, was united in marriage in June, one thousand eight hundred and lifty-two, to one Stephen Templin, of the sanie i>lace, and continued to live with him for about eighteen years; but for about three years lasit past

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1546 · June 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  33. To confer certain powers upon Henry Sherwood, guardian of the minor children of James S. Bryden, deceased.

    Act 1403 of 1871 · P.L. 1547 · August 6, 1871 · Scanned page

  34. Eelative to the Odd Fellows' Hall Association of the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 1406 of 1871 · P.L. 1551 · September 1, 1871 · Scanned page

  35. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to protect the health of the citizens of the city of Philadelphia," approved the seventeenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, so far as relates to the Frankford and Southwark Passenger railroad, north of the Berks street depot, and the Second and Third Street Passenger railroad, north of York street.

    Act 1408 of 1871 · P.L. 1553 · October 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  36. To annul the marriage contract entered into between Daniel Moad and Aovio, his wife.

    Act 1409 of 1871 · P.L. 1554 · December 16, 1871 · Scanned page

  37. Supplement to the act Incorporating the city of llarrisburtj, in the county of Dauphin, passed April ninth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 1411 of 1871 · P.L. 1556 · January 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  38. Relating to the salary of the treasurer of Dauphin county.

    Act 1412 of 1871 · P.L. 1559 · January 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  39. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act relative to the sale of vinous and spirituous liquors by tlio lessee or lessees of the restaurant room of the I^oeser building, in the borough of I'ottsvUle." approved the twenty-seventh day of October, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act 1413 of 1871 · P.L. 1560 · December 31, 1871 · Scanned page

  40. Relating to public printing in Huntingdon county.

    Act 1414 of 1871 · P.L. 1561 · 1871 · Scanned page

  41. Stbrarg Inlwraitu of Ptttfibursli Darlington Memorial Library ailaHH.-./L.lonk- 2?.1?/X. /QTJ LAWS ^//- I OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLYANIA, ttt PASSED AT THE SESSION OF 1871 In the Ninety-fifth year of Independence. WITH AN APPENDIX. BY AUTHORITY. HARRISBURG: B. SINGERLY, STATE PRINTER. 1871. /897 J 87/ LAWS OP THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. I I Ko. 1. To revive and

    Act of 1871 · January 16, 1871 · Scanned page

  42. Supplement to the act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Provident Life and Trust Company of Philadelphia," approved the twenty-second day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, increasing the number of directors of said company.

    Act of 1871 · February 1, 1871 · Scanned page

  43. Amendatory to an act, entitled "An Act for the punishment of cruelty to animals in this commonwealih," approved March twenty-ninth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act of 1871 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  44. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to provide for the incorporation of gas and water companies," approved the eleventh day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, and extending the same to bridge companies, and also for increasing the capital stock of said companies.

    Act of 1871 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  45. To inoorporate the West Pittsburg Inclined Plane Company.

    Act of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  46. To authorize the trustees of the First Reformed church of the borough of Catasauqua to mortgage real estate.

    Act of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  47. For the rollof of Juao) Po Ix>ng, a fioltUcr of tho irtr of olghteeo hunilrod and twelve.

    Act of 1871 · 1871 · Scanned page

  48. Supplement to an act to enable the {governor to incorporate a company to make an artificial road by the best and nearest route from the town of Hanover, in the county of York, to the Maryland line, at or near the place the turnpike from Baltimore to the state line, towards Hanover, will strike the same, passed the twenty-second day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and eight.

    Act of 1871 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  49. To open and remove obstructions on the lino of Rlttenhouse street, Twenty-second ward, city of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1871 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  50. Supplement to an act providiog for the appointment of superintendents and the election of supervisors in the Twenty-second ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1871 · 1871 · Scanned page

  51. To incorporate the Chestnut Hill Driving Park Association.

    Act of 1871 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  52. 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 of 1871 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  53. Supplement to an act, entitled *' An Act to incorporate the Middle Creek Railroad Company," approved March twenty-third, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and the supplement thereto, changing the name thereof to the Sunbury and Lewistown Railroad Company, approved February seventeenth. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 1 of 1871 · January 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  54. Validating the issue of certain sewerage bonds by the city of Allegheny.

    Act 2 of 1871 · January 16, 1871 · Scanned page

  55. Construing an act, entitled " An Act to appoint conamissioners to lay out and open a state road from the borough of Wellsboro' to Marsh creek, by way of I. M. Bodine's, in Tioga county," approved twenty-first of April, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and

    Act 3 of 1871 · January 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  56. In relation to tiie Cumberland Valley Normal Scliool, at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

    Act 4 of 1871 · January 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  57. Supplement to an act authorizing the commissioners of Carbon county to borrow money to build a new county jail, approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 5 of 1871 · January 18, 1871 · Scanned page

  58. Confirming tiie selection of persons made to serve as jurors in the several courts of Tioga county, for the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 6 of 1871 · January 18, 1871 · Scanned page

  59. To change the venue in the cases of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania against John M. Mark and D. S. Matthews, from the court of quarter sessions of Adams county to the county of Dauphin.

    Act 8 of 1871 · January 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  60. To authorize the school directors of the borough of Frankfort Springs, in Beaver county, to borrow money.

    Act 9 of 1871 · 1871 · Scanned page

  61. To authorize the commissioners of Miffliu county to appropriate money to the relief of certain citizens of Mifflintown.

    Act 10 of 1871 · January 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  62. Supplement to the act incorporating the Fort Hunter Turnpike Company.

    Act 11 of 1871 · January 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  63. Authorizing and requiring the township auditors of Industry township, Beaver county, to re-audit the bounty accounts of said township, and extending the time for appeal and staying proceedings in the court of common pleas of said eounty.

    Act 18 of 1871 · February 1, 1871 · Scanned page

  64. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to promote the improvement of real ejtate by exempting mortgages and other money securities from taxation, except for state purposes, in certain counties in this common- Tvealth.

    Act 32 of 1871 · February 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  65. Supplement to an act, entitled *' An Act to enable the board of school directors of the borough of Coudersport, in the county of Potter, to establish and maintain a graded school," approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-niue.

    Act 33 of 1871 · February 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  66. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Wyoming Valley Gas and Water Company, approved April third, one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 64 of 1871 · February 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  67. To incorporate the Fire Insurance Patrol of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 65 of 1871 · February 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  68. To authorize the school directors of Mount Morris independent school district, in Greene county, to borrow money for building purposes.

    Act 190 of 1871 · March 7, 1871 · Scanned page

  69. Authorizing the city of Altoona to organize a teachers' institute independently of the county of Blair.

    Act 191 of 1871 · March 7, 1871 · Scanned page

  70. To authorize the Shamokin Valley and Pottsville Railroad Company to berrow money and issue its bonds and mortgage, to procure the endorsement of the Northern Central railway and the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad companies thereon, and authorizing said Shamokin Valley and Pottsville Railroad Company to purchase additional real estate.

    Act 199 of 1871 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  71. To Incorporate the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Pennsylvania.

    Act 200 of 1871 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  72. To extend the provisions of the act of March twenty-seventh, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, entitled "An Act to enlarge the jurisdiction of the courts of common pleas of this commonwealth, relative to granting charters of incorporation and confirming those heretofore" granted.

    Act 222 of 1871 · March 30, 1871 · Scanned page

  73. To continue in force the fourth section of an act, approved April second, ore thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, entitled "An Act extending to canal companies the privileges heretofore conferred on I'ailroad companies, and to authorize them to deepen and improve their canals, and provide improved facilities for transporting property.

    Act 223 of 1871 · April 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  74. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to prevent waste in certain cases in this commonwealtb," approved the twenty-ninth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two.

    Act 270 of 1871 · June 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  75. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act appointing commissioners to lay out a state road from the village of Shoustown, Allegheny county, to Bock's old mill, in Beaver county," approved April ninth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 366 of 1871 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  76. To incorporate the Lancaster and Fruitville Turnpike Koad Company.

    Act 367 of 1871 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  77. To establish a ferry over the Ohio river, at Freedom, Beaver county.

    Act 481 of 1871 · May 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  78. Relating to the election of assessors in Cleartield county.

    Act 482 of 1871 · 1871 · Scanned page

  79. Repealing an act relative to roads in Valley township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, approved the fourteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 486 of 1871 · May 5, 1871 · Scanned page

  80. To authorize the school directors of the borough of Butler to sell cer- « tain lands in said borough.

    Act 510 of 1871 · May 6, 1871 · Scanned page

  81. Supplement to an act incorporating the city of Lock Haven, approved the twentyeighth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 623 of 1871 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  82. Supplement to an act incorporating the city of Lock Haven, approved the twentyeighth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 623 of 1871 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  83. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to, enable the school directors of the Sixth ward, in the city of Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money," approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 624 of 1871 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  84. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to, enable the school directors of the Sixth ward, in the city of Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money," approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 624 of 1871 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  85. To incorporate the Crystal Lake Turnpike Company.

    Act 809 of 1871 · May 18, 1871 · Scanned page

  86. Providing for the removal of the dead in the Methodist burial ground, Harrisburg.

    Act 833 of 1871 · May 18, 1871 · Scanned page

  87. Supplement to an act to authorize a re-organization of the Pennsylvania Steel Company and an increase of its capital stock, approved March twentytliird, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 834 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  88. Supplementary to an act relating to mechanies' lien and others, approved first day of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty -one, bo extended to Lebanon county.

    Act 839 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  89. To repeal the eleventh section of an act approved the twenty-sixth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, entitled "An Act relating to corporations and estates held for corporate, religious and charitable uses," as far as relates to the will of Clara Hoffman, deceased.

    Act 840 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  90. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Lebanon Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Jonestown, Pennsylvania," approved April twenty-first, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 852 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  91. To authorize the school diectorsof the city of Franklin. Venango county, to borrow money

    Act 882 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  92. Appointing commissioners to view and lay out a public road in the counties of Monroe and Pike.

    Act 883 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  93. Appointing commissioners to view and lay out a public road in the counties of Monroe and Pike.

    Act 883 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  94. Authorizing the English Evangelical Lutheran church of Lock Haven to issue bonds.

    Act 889 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  95. Repealing so much of an act, entitled "An Act authorizing the town council of the borough of CarUsle to appoint viewers to assess damages and contributions sustained from the opening of streets and alleys," approved eleventh AprQ, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, as relates to private alleys or courts.

    Act 890 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  96. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to authorize the governor of the commonwealth to incorporate the Wilkesbarre Water Company, ' ' approved February fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act 891 of 1871 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  97. To define and extend the boundaries of the borough of Mifflinburg.

    Act 944 of 1871 · May 22, 1871 · Scanned page

  98. Relating to the borough of East Conemaugh, in the county of Cambria.

    Act 945 of 1871 · 1871 · Scanned page

  99. Supplement To the acts approved April eighth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, and March twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, authorizing the school directors of Irwin borough to borrow money.

    Act 1027 of 1871 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  100. Supplement Preamble. To an act, entitled "An Act authorizing the incorporation of the Ormsby Bridge Company," approved the seventeenth day Of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 1058 of 1871 · May 25, 1871 · Scanned page

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Province of Pennsylvania1682–1775

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.