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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 authorize Michael Domcnec, bishop of Pittsburg, to sell certain real estate situate in Temperanceville borough, Allegheny county.

    Act 1108 of 1872 · P.L. 1178 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  2. For the relief of Joseph Y.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1179 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  3. To annul the marriage contract between Mathias Kindt and Tamar, his wife.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1181 · June 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  4. For the relief of Nathan W. Woods, of Cumberland county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1181 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  5. To incorporate the Hamilton Hall and Cottac;e Company of Pittsburg.

    Act 1113 of 1872 · P.L. 1182 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  6. Instructing the senators and requesting the represpntativps in Congress from the stale of Pennsylvania to vote far and urge the passage of a bill granting bounty land to certain persons engagefi in the military and naval service of the Un ted States, from and after the fourth day of ^larch, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and sixtyone, introduced into the United Slates House of

    Act 1 of 1872 · P.L. 1185 · January 31, 1872 · Scanned page

  7. Relative to bonds of indebtedness issued by the borough councils cf the borough of Ormsby, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 11 of 1872 · P.L. 1191 · March 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  8. Authorizing the stiito treasurer to <v)llei't from the United States certain moneys heretofore improperly paid.

    Act 13 of 1872 · P.L. 1192 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  9. Relative to the publication of the eighth volume of the transactions of the State Agricultural Society.

    Act 14 of 1872 · P.L. 1194 · 1872 · Scanned page

  10. No. IG. Requesting our senators and representatives in Congress to fiivor the granting of aid to the American Printing House for the Blind.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1196 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  11. To repeal joint resolution number twelve, authorizing the appointment of a special agent to collect disallowed and suspended claims against the United Statics, approved March twenty-second, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 18 of 1872 · P.L. 1198 · April 11, 1872 · Scanned page

  12. To pay the stenographer to the Geo. O. Evans war claims investigating committee.

    Act 26 of 1872 · P.L. 1202 · April 4, 1872 · Scanned page

  13. Relative to the pay and mileage of Henry W. Gray, late senator from the Fourth senatorial district.

    Act 31 of 1872 · P.L. 1205 · 1872 · Scanned page

  14. To incorporate the State Insurance Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 1114 of 1872 · P.L. 1207 · April 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  15. To extend the act incorporatins the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia and Bucks counties.

    Act 1115 of 1872 · P.L. 1208 · 1872 · Scanned page

  16. To incorporate the Aughwick Mining and Exploring Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1211 · April 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  17. To incorporate the Brandy C;imi> Railroad Company.

    Act 1118 of 1872 · P.L. 1213 · April 5, 1872 · Scanned page

  18. To ini-orporaio the Tacony Valley Railroad Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1214 · April 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  19. To iuithoTizp the Pittsburg, Alleuheny and Manchester Passenger Railway (Company to sell n part of its road.

    Act 1119 of 1872 · P.L. 1214 · 1872 · Scanned page

  20. To incorporate the Warren Gas and Water Company.

    Act 1122 of 1872 · P.L. 1217 · 1872 · Scanned page

  21. To incorporate the Pottsville Steel, Iron and Coal Company. Corporators. Title. Privllegee, &c. Gapitai.stock. Payment of swbscriptions. May issue and sell bonds. Management. Ejection of diyectors.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1220 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  22. 1222 APPENDIX — 1869. Xo. 1124. ^\x ^H Corporators. Titlo. May clear out Upper Morg<in'3 J'UH. (.'.I'lital stock. May improve <i 'slcpridinji navis.' it:on of run. Mfiy enter upon ?w)jacent lands a'ld take mat < rial. S.ilkject to. Tolls. May demand i^^y nieut on ad. varice or secu- Mky require stit.ement from pel-sons using ktrewni. To incorporate tho Upper Morgan's Run N.avigation Company,

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1222 · April 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  23. To incorporate the National Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 1125 of 1872 · P.L. 1223 · March 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  24. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Pottsville Iron, Steel and Coal Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1232 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  25. To incorporate the United Associates for mutual assurance ana beneficial purposes.

    Act 1129 of 1872 · P.L. 1233 · March 31, 1872 · Scanned page

  26. To incorporate the Supreme Council of the Sons and Daughters o^ Aiuerica.

    Act 1130 of 1872 · P.L. 1234 · April 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  27. To incorporate the Merchants' Life Insurance and Trust Company of Schuylkill

    Act 1131 of 1872 · P.L. 1236 · April 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  28. To incorporate the Real Estate Exchange Coaipan3^ of Philadelphia.

    Act 1132 of 1872 · P.L. 1236 · April 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  29. Relating to the Somerset and Clearfield Coal Company.

    Act 1133 of 1872 · P.L. 1238 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  30. To incorporate the Novelty Power Company.

    Act 1135 of 1872 · P.L. 1240 · April 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  31. To legitimate Esther Catharine Weidraan, now of the city of Philadelphia, and confer upon her the rights and privileges of a child bdrn iu lawful wedlock.

    Act 1136 of 1872 · P.L. 1242 · April 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  32. To incorporate the Citizens' Bank of Philadelphia with savings bank privileges.

    Act 1137 of 1872 · P.L. 1243 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  33. To incorporate the Good Templars' Mutual Benefit Association of Pennsylvania.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1245 · December 31, 1872 · Scanned page

  34. To incorporate the Bail j 'a Station Rope Ferry Company.

    Act 1140 of 1872 · P.L. 1249 · February 10, 1872 · Scanned page

  35. To authorise John Ferguson to adopt John Albert Ferguson as his heir.

    Act 1141 of 1872 · P.L. 1250 · February 18, 1872 · Scanned page

  36. To confer upon Edwin Wasson, adopted son of John U. Wasson and Euieline Wasson, his wife, the rights of a child born of their bodies.

    Act 1142 of 1872 · P.L. 1251 · February 18, 1872 · Scanned page

  37. To declare Silas R. Province, of Greene county, Pennsylvania, who is over twenty-one years of age, an adopted son and heir-at-law of Joseph Y. Province, of Fayette county, Pennsj'lvania, as if born in lawful wedlock.

    Act 1143 of 1872 · P.L. 1252 · February 18, 1872 · Scanned page

  38. To incorporate the Conestoga Valley Railroad Company.

    Act 1144 of 1872 · P.L. 1252 · February 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  39. No. 114G. ToJncorporate the Connellsville and New Haven Gas and Water Company in the county of Fayette.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1255 · March 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  40. To authorize the building of piers along the east bank of the Snsquehanna river, at the borough of Millersburg, in the county of Dauphin.

    Act 1145 of 1872 · P.L. 1255 · 1872 · Scanned page

  41. To incorporate the Minersville Gas Company.

    Act 1148 of 1872 · P.L. 1260 · March 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  42. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Delaware County Mutual Protection Company," approved the twelfth day of June, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.

    Act 1149 of 1872 · P.L. 1262 · March 11, 1872 · Scanned page

  43. To incorporate the Bendersville Railroad Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1263 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  44. To incorporate the American Impervious Stone Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1265 · 1872 · Scanned page

  45. To incorporate the Conveyancers Association cf the city of Phihidelphia.

    Act 1153 of 1872 · P.L. 1267 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  46. To incorporate the Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester Central Railroad, in the counties of Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester.

    Act 1154 of 1872 · P.L. 1269 · March 17, 1872 · Scanned page

  47. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Aci to incorporate the Pottsvilie Iron and Steel and Coal

    Act 1155 of 1872 · P.L. 1270 · 1872 · Scanned page

  48. Extending the time for the commencement and completion of th9 Kishacoquillas V.illey Railroad Company, and to authorize the borrowing of money.

    Act 1156 of 1872 · P.L. 1271 · March 17, 1872 · Scanned page

  49. To incorporate the People's Bank of Wilkes Barre.

    Act 1157 of 1872 · P.L. 1272 · May 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  50. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Downingtown Manufacturing Company', approved February tweut^'-third, Anno Douiini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 1158 of 1872 · P.L. 1276 · May 4, 1872 · Scanned page

  51. To incorporate the Domain Land Company.

    Act 1159 of 1872 · P.L. 1276 · May 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  52. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Inland S;ifety Mutual Insurance Company," approved the fourth day of Ajsril, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 1161 of 1872 · P.L. 1278 · May 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  53. To incorporate the Butler Water Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1279 · May 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  54. To incorporate the Scranton Citj' Cotta<?e and Imin'ovement Company, relative to furnishing aid to contractors, companies, corporations, miners and manufacturers, to the construction of works and improvements, and to the holding, by purchase or otherwise, of property and to the sale of the same.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1280 · May 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the Granite Improvement Companj'.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1282 · May 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the Saucon Savings Bank.

    Act 1167 of 1872 · P.L. 1283 · 1872 · Scanned page

  57. To incorporate the Lancaster ami Reading Narrow Gauge Railroad Company'.

    Act 1168 of 1872 · P.L. 1286 · 1872 · Scanned page

  58. To incorporate the Millville Bridge Company.

    Act 1169 of 1872 · P.L. 1288 · May 10, 1872 · Scanned page

  59. Supplement to an act, entitled "A supplement to an act to establish a ferry over the Monongahela river at New Store," approved the second day ol April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 1170 of 1872 · P.L. 1289 · May 10, 1872 · Scanned page

  60. 1290 APPBJS'Dix— 1871. No. ini. Authorizirifij James M'Conaughy, president, and Christopher Saudels, vice president of the board of trustees of Westmoreland College, at Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland county, to sell certain real estate.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1290 · 1872 · Scanned page

  61. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate tho East Brandj-wine Railroad Company," approved March thirty-first. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1290 · May 10, 1872 · Scanned page

  62. To incorporate the Fire Insurance Patrol of Allegheny cotinty.

    Act 1173 of 1872 · P.L. 1292 · 1872 · Scanned page

  63. To incorporate the Oil City Passenger Railway Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1293 · May 12, 1872 · Scanned page

  64. To Incorporate the Gas Company of the City of Lock Haven.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1295 · May 12, 1872 · Scanned page

  65. To incorporate the Pittsburg. Alleghenj' and Duquesne Passenger Railway Company.

    Act 1177 of 1872 · P.L. 1300 · May 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  66. To incorporate the Dayton and Pine Creek Railroad Company.

    Act 1178 of 1872 · P.L. 1303 · May 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  67. Supplement to the act incorporating the Farmers' and Miners' Railroad Company increasing tlie powers and extending the privileges thereof.

    Act 1179 of 1872 · P.L. 1304 · 1872 · Scanned page

  68. To incorporate the Philadelphia and Chester Transportation Company.

    Act 1180 of 1872 · P.L. 1305 · May 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  69. To incorporate the East Broad Top Coal and Iron Company.

    Act 1181 of 1872 · P.L. 1306 · May 18, 1872 · Scanned page

  70. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Protection Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Littlestown, in the county of Adams," approved February fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1308 · May 18, 1872 · Scanned page

  71. Supplement to an act incorporating the Domain Land Companj', approved fifth May, one thousand eight hundred and

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1308 · 1872 · Scanned page

  72. To incorporate the Cousolidutecl Gas Company.

    Act 1184 of 1872 · P.L. 1309 · 1872 · Scanned page

  73. To the Wayne County Savings Bank, extending the time for organization and fixing the liability of stockholders.

    Act 1185 of 1872 · P.L. 1309 · 1872 · Scanned page

  74. To regulate the payment of the bonus on the increase of capital stock of the Lehigh Water Company of the borough of Easton, authorized by act, :March third, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 1186 of 1872 · P.L. 1310 · May 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  75. To incorporate the WoodruflT Sleeping and Parlor Coach Companj'.

    Act 1187 of 1872 · P.L. 1311 · May 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  76. To authorize the trustees of the Welsh Congregational Church of Scranton, iu the county of Luzerne, to sell certain real estate.

    Act 1188 of 1872 · P.L. 1313 · May 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  77. To incorporate the Rittersvillo Park Association.

    Act 1189 of 1872 · P.L. 1314 · May 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  78. To authorize the construction of a bridge over Oil creek, on the Blood farm, in the township of Cornplanter, in the county of Venango.

    Act 1190 of 1872 · P.L. 1315 · May 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  79. To provide for the damages done to Jones' hotel property, Chestnut street, Philadelphia, by reason of its occupation bjtroops during the late rebellion.

    Act 1191 of 1872 · P.L. 1316 · May 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  80. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Pottsville Iron, Steel and Coal Company," approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 1192 of 1872 · P.L. 1317 · 1872 · Scanned page

  81. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Girard Mercantile Company of Philadelphia," approved March sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 1193 of 1872 · P.L. 1318 · May 24, 1872 · Scanned page

  82. To incorporate the United Order of Stationary Engineers of Penusylvauia.

    Act 1194 of 1872 · P.L. 1320 · May 24, 1872 · Scanned page

  83. Supplemental to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Skinner's Eddy and Little Meadows Railroad Company," approved the first day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act 1195 of 1872 · P.L. 1321 · May 24, 1872 · Scanned page

  84. Giving the assent of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to an act of the legislature of the state of New York, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Barrett Bridge Company, in Orange county.'

    Act 1196 of 1872 · P.L. 1322 · May 24, 1872 · Scanned page

  85. To annul the marriage contract between Peter Heffner and Catharine, his wife.

    Act 1197 of 1872 · P.L. 1323 · May 25, 1872 · Scanned page

  86. Supplement to an act to ratify and confirm the charter of incorporation of the Atlantic Petroleum Storage Company, and to confer additional powers on said corporation," approved September eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-eight, to prevent accidents by the burning of oil.

    Act 1198 of 1872 · P.L. 1323 · 1872 · Scanned page

  87. To incorporate the United States Co-operative Insurance Company of Pennsylvania

    Act 1200 of 1872 · P.L. 1326 · 1872 · Scanned page

  88. To incorporate the Enterprise Improvement Company.

    Act 1201 of 1872 · P.L. 1327 · May 25, 1872 · Scanned page

  89. To enlarge the power of the Alps Insurance Company.

    Act 1203 of 1872 · P.L. 1328 · May 25, 1872 · Scanned page

  90. To incorporate the State Deposit and Savings Bank of Sci'anton.

    Act 1204 of 1872 · P.L. 1331 · May 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  91. To incorporate the Local Land and Improvement

    Act 1206 of 1872 · P.L. 1335 · 1872 · Scanned page

  92. To incorporate the Deposit and Saving Bank.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1336 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  93. To incorporate the German J-'avings Bank of "Wilkea Barrs. Sectiox 1.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1339 · 1872 · Scanned page

  94. To incorporate the Penn Land Improvement Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1343 · 1872 · Scanned page

  95. To authorize the auditor general to settle and aiijusfc the claim of Jonathan D. Walkinshaw, late second lieutenant of company I, Eleventh regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Corps.

    Act 1212 of 1872 · P.L. 1346 · May 25, 1872 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate the Pennsylvania Exchange.

    Act 1213 of 1872 · P.L. 1346 · 1872 · Scanned page

  97. To incorporate tlie Ridley Park Association, in the county of Delaware.

    Act 1214 of 1872 · P.L. 1347 · May 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  98. To extend the time for the commencement and completion of the Erie and Allegheny railroad.

    Act 1215 of 1872 · P.L. 1349 · May 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  99. To exempt the parsonage of the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal church, number one hundred and sixty-eight, Gay street, Manayunk, and the Odd Fellows' hall, in the borough of Canton, Bradford county, from taxation for city purposes.

    Act 1216 of 1872 · P.L. 1350 · May 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  100. To incorporate the Rauchstown Water Company.

    Act 1217 of 1872 · P.L. 1350 · May 29, 1872 · Scanned page

By decade

Constitution of 19681968–today

Constitution of 18741874–1967

Constitution of 18381838–1873

Constitution of 17901790–1837

Constitution of 17761776–1789

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.