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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. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act appointing commissioners to lay out and open a state road in the counties of Potter and M'Kean," approved the eleventh day of xipril, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and tifty-nine.

    Act 998 of 1872 · P.L. 1047 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  2. To amend an act, entitled "An Act consolidating the wards of the city of Pittsburg for educational purposes.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1048 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  3. To regulate the election of school directors in the sub-school districts in the city of Pittsburg.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1049 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  4. To repeal, in part, an act to annex the farms of George Jackson, and others, to the Oneida school district of Huntingdon county, approved the eleventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 1001 of 1872 · P.L. 1050 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  5. Amending section four, chapter second, of the charter of the city ot Allegheny.

    Act 1002 of 1872 · P.L. 1050 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  6. In relation to insane persona in the county of Butler.

    Act 1003 of 1872 · P.L. 1051 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  7. Relating to sewers in the city of Allegheny.

    Act 1004 of 1872 · P.L. 1051 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  8. To prevent horses, mules, sheep and hogs from running at large in the township of Keating and borough of Smethport, iu the county of

    Act 1005 of 1872 · P.L. 1052 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  9. Supplement to an act incorporating the borough of Dunmore.

    Act 1006 of 1872 · P.L. 1053 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  10. To authorize the appointment of an additional notary public for the counties of Fayette and Centre.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1054 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  11. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act to regulate medical practice in certain counties of this commonwealth," to Westmoreland

    Act 1009 of 1872 · P.L. 1055 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  12. To allow the board of school directors of the school district of Belle Vernon, Fayette county, to appropriate certain school tax to building purposes, and to levy and collect a per capita tax for a like purpose, and to borrow money.

    Act 1010 of 1872 · P.L. 1056 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  13. To lay out a state road in counties of Schuylkill and Columbia.

    Act 1012 of 1872 · P.L. 1057 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  14. To empower David Derickson, attorney-in-fact for Mary P. Henderson and Cliarles Wright, to make a certain deed.

    Act 1013 of 1872 · P.L. 1059 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  15. Granting an annuity and gratuity to Catharine Culin, widow of William Culin, a soldier of the war of eighteen hundred and twelve.

    Act 1014 of 1872 · P.L. 1060 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  16. Anthorizing the school directors of North Lebanon Independent school and road district of Lebanon county to borrow money.

    Act 1015 of 1872 · P.L. 1060 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  17. For the relief of Hannah Kelly, aged seventy j'ears, a resident of the cit\' of Reading, Pennsylvania, Avidow of John Kelly, late private of Captain Jacob Marshall's company, First regiment, Second brigade, Pennsylvania miiitia of che war of one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, deceased.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1061 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  18. For the relief of Baltzer Gehr, a soldier of the war of eighteen hundred and twelve.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1062 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  19. Relative to bridges in the county of Centre.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1063 · 1872 · Scanned page

  20. Granting annuity and gratuity to John Atthoflf, a soldier of the war of one ihousand eight hundred and twelve, from Adams county.

    Act 1019 of 1872 · P.L. 1063 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  21. To authorize the issue and sale of bonds by the Charleston, South Carolina, Mining and Manufacturing Companj'.

    Act 1020 of 1872 · P.L. 1064 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  22. authorize the burgess and town council of Athens borough, in the county of Bradford, to build a lock-up and protect the river bank along their public grounds; in said borough.

    Act 1021 of 1872 · P.L. 1064 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  23. To incorporate Tangascootack Valley Railway

    Act 1022 of 1872 · P.L. 1066 · 1872 · Scanned page

  24. To authorize the school directors of Susquelianna county to appropriate land for school houses, et cetera.

    Act 1023 of 1872 · P.L. 1068 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  25. Preamble. Xo. 1025. Supplemental to an act relative to the Orphans' Home and Asylum for the aged and infirm of the Evangelical Lutheran church.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1070 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  26. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Thomas Iron Companj'," approved the fonrth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 1024 of 1872 · P.L. 1070 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  27. To exempt from taxation certain real estate in Philadelphia belonging to the Jewish Hospital Association, in Philadelphia.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1072 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  28. To incorporate the borough of Parnassus, in the county of Westmorelaad.

    Act 1027 of 1872 · P.L. 1073 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  29. To make the office of notary public and justice of the peace compatible in the city of Titusville, in the county of Crawford.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1074 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  30. Supplement to an act to incorporate the U. S. INIutual Laudable and Provident Association, relative to St. Joseph's German Catholic church in Lancaster, relative to Lancaster county prison, and for other purposes, approved the thirty-first day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, so far as relates to Lancaster county prison.

    Act 1030 of 1872 · P.L. 1075 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  31. To incorporate the Grimes Yacht Club of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1076 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  32. To authorize the vacation of a portion of Locust street, in the city of Pittsburg.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1077 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  33. To authorize the city of Pittsburg to guarantee payment of taxes upon certain bonds.

    Act 1033 of 1872 · P.L. 1078 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Central Passenger Railway Company of Pittsburg.

    Act 1034 of 1872 · P.L. 1078 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  35. To alter the road laws in the township of Apolacon, in the county of Susquehanna.

    Act 1035 of 1872 · P.L. 1079 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  36. To authorize the town council of the borougli of Renovo, in the county of Clinton, to borrow money for the jjurpose of supplying the said borough with water.

    Act 1036 of 1872 · P.L. 1083 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  37. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to transfer a certain lot and buildings to the controllers of tbe public schools," passed January thirtieth, one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 1038 of 1872 · P.L. 1086 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  38. To empower the court of quarter sessions of the peace of the county of Wayne to appoint auditors to settle and audit the bounty accounts of the several boroughs and townships in said county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1087 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  39. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act authorizing the English Evangelical Lutheran church of Lock Haven to issue bonds," approved May nine- * teenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 1039 of 1872 · P.L. 1087 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  40. To authorize and require the road coimuissioners of Conneaut township, in Erie county, to levy and collect an additional amount of tax.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1088 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  41. To authorize the governor to aiipoint an additional notary public to reside in Kittanning, x\rmstrong county-, and two to reside in M'Kean county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1089 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  42. Establishing a board of trustees of the law library of Schuylkill county.

    Act 1043 of 1872 · P.L. 1090 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  43. No 1045. %n %t ^ ^^'^' Entitled an act to confer additional powers on the legalized auctioneer of the borough of Ashland, Schuylkill county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1091 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  44. Providing for the compensation of the owners of i^rivate houses at at whicli elections are held in the county of Monroe.

    Act 1044 of 1872 · P.L. 1091 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  45. Relating to roads in Damascus townshii), Waj'uo county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1092 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  46. To extend the time of certain persons, collectors of school and militia taxes in the boroijpjh of Port Carbon, and the independent school district of Blythe township, Schuylkill county, to make returns.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1098 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  47. To authorize the election of district treasurers in Cleai-Iicld county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1098 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  48. To incorporate the Clancy Mining Company of Montana.

    Act 1052 of 1872 · P.L. 1101 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  49. In relation to streets and highways in the town of Wilcos, county of Elk.

    Act 1053 of 1872 · P.L. 1102 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  50. For the relief of A. -J. Bufflngton, of Washington county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1104 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to an act, entitled "An xVct to incorporate the Saving Fund Society of Germantown and its vicinity," passed Aijril sixtli, ono tliousand I eight hundred and fifty-four. 1

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1105 · 1872 · Scanned page

  52. To extend the provisions of an act la3ang a tax on dogs in the borough of West Chester and certain townships in the county of Chester, and for other purposes, approved the fourteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-sis, to the township of Honey Brook, in the county of Chester.

    Act 1057 of 1872 · P.L. 1105 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  53. To authorize the sale of the meeting house and lands belonging to Kennett Square i^reparative meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. Preamble,

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1106 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  54. To authorize certain trustees of Berrysburg, Dauphiii county, to sell real estate.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1109 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the Library Association of Amateurs of Philadelphia.

    Act 1061 of 1872 · P.L. 1109 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the ^rontour County Agricultural Society.

    Act 1062 of 1872 · P.L. 1111 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  57. To authorize the councils of the city of Pittsburg to set aside proceedings for the opening of Walter street.

    Act 1063 of 1872 · P.L. 1113 · 1872 · Scanned page

  58. To authorize the vacation of a portion of Highland avenue in the Nineteenth ward of the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 1064 of 1872 · P.L. 1114 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  59. To authorize the citizens of the town of Annville, Lebanon county, to levy and collect a tax for the purpose of purchasing a room to bouse fire apparatus.

    Act 1065 of 1872 · P.L. 1115 · April 10, 1872 · Scanned page

  60. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Corn Exchange Warehousing; Company of Philadelphia," approved the ninth daj'of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixtj'-seven.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1116 · April 10, 1872 · Scanned page

  61. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Empire Mutual Life Insurance and Trust Company of Pennsylvania." approved the §bcond day of April, Anno Doniiai one thousand eight hundred and

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1118 · 1872 · Scanned page

  62. Prohibiting the erection of frame buildings in a certain portion of the city of Reading.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1118 · April 11, 1872 · Scanned page

  63. To empower the court of common pleas of Carbon county to appoint auditors to audit, re-audit, settle and re-settle the bounty accounts of the township of Franklin, in said county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1119 · April 12, 1872 · Scanned page

  64. To annex the farm of James A. Aaron, of Clarion township, Clarion county, to the borough of Corsica, in Jetterson county, for school purposes.

    Act 1070 of 1872 · P.L. 1120 · April 12, 1872 · Scanned page

  65. To revise and amend the health laws of the citj' of Pittsburg.

    Act 1071 of 1872 · P.L. 1121 · April 12, 1872 · Scanned page

  66. For the appoiutment of water commissioners for tlie borough of Bedford, in Bedford county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1130 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  67. To establish a ferry over the Susquehanna river at Crow's Landing, in BufTalo township, Perry count}-, Pennsylvania.

    Act 1072 of 1872 · P.L. 1130 · April 12, 1872 · Scanned page

  68. Authorizing the extension and iniproTement of Federal street, from its present terminus in the city of Allegheny to the Perrysville plank road in North End district. Councils authurized to open extension of Federal street. P;'OVlSO. To appoint viewers. imties and powers of viewers. lleport. Payment of iissessments. When councils may grade and improve streets.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1134 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  69. To authorize Michael Domenec to borrow moner and give mortgage therefor, as trustee of Sc. Stephen's Catholic church at Hazlewood, Twenty-third ward, city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1137 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  70. To authorize Michael Donienec, bisliop of Pittsburg, to sell certain real estate in the cit3and county of Allegheny.

    Act 1016 of 1872 · P.L. 1138 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  71. To confer certain powers upon the guardian of the minor children of Margaret L. Doolittle, deceased.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1139 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  72. To determine the liability of certain oflicers and their sureties.

    Act 1078 of 1872 · P.L. 1140 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  73. To annex the fanu belonging to the heirs of Alexander Culbertson, deceased, to the borough of Grecusburg, Westmoreland county, for school purposes.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1141 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  74. Supplementary to the charter of the Anthracite Saving Fund and \ Building Association, located in the borough of Pottsville, in the county of Schuylkill.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1141 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  75. To vacate two certain ten feet wiJe alleys, situate in the Fifteenth ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1143 · 1872 · Scanned page

  76. To incorporate the Pennsylvania Warehousing and Safe Deposit Company of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1144 · 1872 · Scanned page

  77. To change the venue in a certain case from Cameron county to Centre county.

    Act 1083 of 1872 · P.L. 1147 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  78. To exempt Samson hall of the Knights of Pythias, in the city of Philadelphia, from taxation.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1148 · 1872 · Scanned page

  79. To repeal the act relating to publication of notices of sheriffs sales in the county of Cambria, approved April first, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1148 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  80. To allow the patenting of a certain survey in Juniata county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1149 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  81. To change the venue in a certain suit from Jefferson to Alloghony county.

    Act 1088 of 1872 · P.L. 1150 · April 17, 1872 · Scanned page

  82. To incorporate the Columbia Conduit Company.

    Act 1089 of 1872 · P.L. 1150 · 1872 · Scanned page

  83. To divorce David H. Gibson from Caroline W. Gibson, his wife.

    Act 1090 of 1872 · P.L. 1152 · April 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  84. Authorizing the borougli of Gaysport, in the county of Blair, to erect water works.

    Act 1091 of 1872 · P.L. 1153 · 1872 · Scanned page

  85. To prevent the digging for sand and making excavations on certain town lots and land in the borough of Weissport, county of Carbon, at or near low water mark on the river Lehigh.

    Act 1092 of 1872 · P.L. 1155 · 1872 · Scanned page

  86. Authorizing the state superintendent of orpbaa schools to pay to Mary A. Ketler, widow of John Ketler, a private in company D, Eightyfirst regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, for each of her two children, the amount appropriated by law for each child under the charge of the orphan schools.

    Act 1093 of 1872 · P.L. 1156 · April 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  87. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Humboldt Safe Deposit and Trust Company.

    Act 1094 of 1872 · P.L. 1156 · April 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  88. Supplement to an act to incorporate the New Castle Hall and Market Company, approved the twelfth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1157 · April 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  89. Authorizing the grading, constructing and making of Wildwood avenue in the county of Allegheny.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1158 · May 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  90. To authorize the opening and paving of certain portions of Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Norris streets.

    Act 1097 of 1872 · P.L. 1163 · May 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  91. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relating to the sale of seated lands for nonpayment of taxes in thecounty of Tioga," approved the fifteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty

    Act 1098 of 1872 · P.L. 1163 · May 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement to an act relative to parks in the city of Harrisburg, approved the fourth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 1099 of 1872 · P.L. 1164 · May 8, 1872 · Scanned page

  93. To erect an independent school district from a part of Mahoning township, in the county of Caroon.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1165 · May 8, 1872 · Scanned page

  94. Relative to committing magistrates in the connty of Berlis.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1168 · May 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  95. To incorporate tlie Smith's Ferry Oil Transportation Companj' of Bea. ver county.

    Act 1102 of 1872 · P.L. 1168 · May 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  96. For the relief of Abraham Rothrook.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1170 · May 18, 1872 · Scanned page

  97. To proviie for the change of object of the corporate existence, and authorizing and providing a mode for the dissolution and surrender ol charcei s of fire companies of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1171 · May 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  98. To relieve laborers, workinginen and journeymen from certain prosecutions and indictments for conspiracy under the criminal laws of this commonwealth.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1175 · June 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  99. Appointing David S. Atkinson, of Greensburg, Westmoreland county, !\ trusiee to sell and convey certain real estate, and to invest the proceeds in other real estate.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1176 · 1872 · Scanned page

  100. To authorize the auditor general to open ana re-settie the accounts of Charles H. Fritz, kue treasurer of Berks county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1177 · March 19, 1872 · 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.