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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 Green Land Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1351 · May 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  2. To incorporate the Sherman Improvement Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1352 · May 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  3. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Empire Passenger Railway Company of Philadelphia." approved the tenth day of February' one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 1220 of 1872 · P.L. 1353 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  4. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Uniouto-vvn and West Virginia Railroad Company, approved the second day of April, Anno Domini one tliouSctnd eight hundred and sixty-eight, extending the privileges of said company.

    Act 1222 of 1872 · P.L. 1355 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  5. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia Enterprise Gold and Silver Mining Company of Montana," approved tho twenty-second day of March, Aimo Domini one thousand eight humire;! and sixty

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1356 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  6. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Hamburg Savings Bank of Berks county, PeniiS3'lvania, approved March 17, A. D.

    Act 1223 of 1872 · P.L. 1356 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  7. To incorporate the State National Bank.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1357 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  8. To confirm the title to a loi of ground in the city of Lock Haven.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1361 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  9. To incorporate the Mount Engle Laud and Improvement Company.

    Act 1228 of 1872 · P.L. 1362 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  10. To incorporate the Broad Top Mining

    Act 1229 of 1872 · P.L. 1363 · 1872 · Scanned page

  11. To authorize the auditor ireaeral to settle and adjust the claim of Peter Houser. late second lieutenant and late first lieutenant, company H, Seventy -sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1365 · June 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  12. To incorporate the Northern, Saving Fund, Safe Deposit and Trust Company of the city of Philadelpliia.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1366 · June 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  13. Xo. 1232. upplementary to an act, entitled "An Act to confer certain powers upon Henry Sherwood, guardian of the minor children of James S. Bryden, deceased," approved the seventeenth day of June, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1372 · June 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  14. To incorporate the Black Lick Navigation and Improvement Company.

    Act 1233 of 1872 · P.L. 1373 · June 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  15. To annul the marriage contract between Mary Ella Janney and David Barton Janney.

    Act 1236 of 1872 · P.L. 1376 · June 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  16. To change the venue in a certain case from the mayor's court of Soranton to the court of common pleas of Luzerne county.

    Act 1237 of 1872 · P.L. 1376 · June 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  17. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Seamen's Boarding House Keepers' Association of the city of Pliiladelphia," approved the twenty-third day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eiglit hundred and sixty-five

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1377 · June 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  18. Fixing the place of holding elections in Mount Union, Huntingdon county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1377 · September 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  19. To fix the place for holding elections for Indiana borough and White township, Indiana county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1378 · September 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  20. Authorizing and directing that the commissioners of highways of the city of Philadelphia to open Seventeenth street, from Ridge avenue to Francis street, in the Fifteenth ward, and to assess the damages thereon.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1379 · October 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  21. To exempt the real estate of I\Iechanicsburg Hall and Market Company from taxes, except lor county and state purposes.

    Act 1242 of 1872 · P.L. 1380 · October 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  22. Opening Parrish street, bct-\veen',Corinthian avenue and Twenty-second, in the city of Philadelphia, and providing for the grading, curbing and paving the same.

    Act 1243 of 1872 · P.L. 1380 · October 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  23. To incorporate the Petroleum Bank, located at Philadelphia.

    Act 1244 of 1872 · P.L. 1381 · November 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  24. To incorporate the West End Bank, to be located at Philadelphia.

    Act 1245 of 1872 · P.L. 1383 · November 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  25. To incorporate the Pennsylvania Cattle Insurance Company,

    Act 1246 of 1872 · P.L. 1385 · 1872 · Scanned page

  26. Supplement to an act relative to the qualifications and powers of road jurors in the city of Philadelphia, approved May sixth, Anno Domini one thou. sand eight hundred and

    Act 1247 of 1872 · P.L. 1390 · December 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  27. Changing the place of holding elections in Butler township, Butler county, into the borough of Butler, in said county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 1391 · December 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  28. To tix the place of holding the general, special and township elections in the township of Jefferson, Luzerne county.

    Act 1248 of 1872 · P.L. 1391 · 1872 · Scanned page

  29. Sill ?^Cl Pielating to taxation of the Danville, Hazleton and Wilkes Barre Railroad

    Act 1251 of 1872 · P.L. 1393 · January 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  30. To incorporate the Chestnut Street Bank.

    Act 1252 of 1872 · P.L. 1393 · January 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  31. To change the venue in a certain cause now pending in the Supreme court, at Philadelphia, to the court of common pleas of Venango county.

    Act 1253 of 1872 · P.L. 1395 · January 4, 1872 · Scanned page

  32. 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 lifty-seven, and extending the same to bridge companies, and also for increasing the capital stock of said companies.

    Act 1254 of 1872 · P.L. 1396 · 1872 · Scanned page

  33. Utttorfitlg of Pttt0bur5l| Darlington Memorial Library (jjlasB— ^- /SJT,.--J" X O /. - ^ Z^// - Z. LAWS J.^//^^ OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 7 OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA /// PASSED AT THE SESSION OF 1872 In the Ninety-sisth year of Indepenience. WITH AN APPENDIX. BY AUTHORITY. HARRISBURG ST. 18T2. B. SIJTGBRLT, STATE PBIKTEE. Vdir K /&d8 ^^^^ « J" TO Xo. 1. To provide for the ordinary expenses

    Act of 1872 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  34. Extending the jurisdiction of the courts of common pleas of this commonwealth.

    Act of 1872 · 1872 · Scanned page

  35. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act authorizing the borougU of Orinsby, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money," approved March twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act of 1872 · 1872 · Scanned page

  36. To establish a ferry over the Youghiogheny river, at Dawson's Station, in Fayette county.

    Act of 1872 · March 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  37. Relative to streets in the city of Oil City.

    Act of 1872 · March 11, 1872 · Scanned page

  38. Authorizing the National Tube Company of Massachusetts to purchase and hold real estate in the borough of M'Keesport, Allegheny county.

    Act of 1872 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  39. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act anthorizing the supervisor of Now Castle township, Schuylkill county, to make, repair and keep in good order and conditiou the public roads, bridges, culverts in said township.

    Act of 1872 · 1872 · Scanned page

  40. Supplement to an act, entitle:! "An Act authorizing the citizens of Brooklyn and Lathrop townships, in the county of Susquehanna, to change the method of mending and improving the roads and building bridges in said townships," approved May eighteenth, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act of 1872 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  41. Exempting th'^ counties of Tvancaster, Venango and Berks, from all the provisions of :in act, entitled "An Act relating to changes of venue," approved April twenty-eight, Anno Domini ono thousand eight hundred and

    Act of 1872 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  42. To authorize Michael Domenoc to borrow money and give mortaage therefor, as trustee of St. Stephen's Catholic churcli at Hazlewood, Twenty-third ward, city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

    Act of 1872 · April 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  43. Appointing David S. Atkinson, of Greensburg, Westmoreland county, SI trustee to sell and convey certain real estate, and to invest the proceeds in other real estate.

    Act of 1872 · 1872 · Scanned page

  44. To authorize the auditor general to open and re-settle the accounts of Charles H. Fritz, late treasurer of Berks county.

    Act of 1872 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  45. To incorporate the Hamilton Hall and Cottage ComiJany of Pittsburg.

    Act of 1872 · 1872 · Scanned page

  46. In relation to landlord and tenant proceedings under the act of December fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.

    Act 9 of 1872 · March 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  47. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relating to corporations for mechanical, manufacturing, mining and quarrying purposes," approved the eighteenth day of July, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.

    Act 10 of 1872 · March 12, 1872 · Scanned page

  48. To prevent the sale of intoxicating drinks on election day.

    Act 11 of 1872 · March 13, 1872 · Scanned page

  49. To punish witnesses who refuse or neglect to appear and testify before legislative committees.

    Act 12 of 1872 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  50. Authorizing the electors of Byberry township, Twenty-third vrard, city of Philadelphia, to elect one overseer of the poor to till Tacancy.

    Act 50 of 1872 · January 18, 1872 · Scanned page

  51. To consolidate the presbyteries ef Susquehanna, Luzerne and Montrose, and to incorporate them under the name of the Presbyiery of Lackawanna.

    Act 62 of 1872 · February 2, 1872 · Scanned page

  52. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to protect the elections of voluntary political associitioiis, to retrulaie primary elections and punish frauds therein, Avitbiii the limits of the county of Lancaster," approved the nineteenth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seveuty-une.

    Act 87 of 1872 · February 8, 1872 · Scanned page

  53. To proviue for the detection of crime in the county of Dauphin.

    Act 143 of 1872 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  54. To enlarge the jurisdiction of justices of the peace in the county of Warren.

    Act 190 of 1872 · 1872 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the Iron and Glass Dollar Savings Bank of Birmingham.

    Act 191 of 1872 · March 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  56. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Fidelity Insurance, Trust and Safe Deposit Company of the city of Philadelphia, passed the twenty-second day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, authorizing an increase of the capital stock of said company.

    Act 519 of 1872 · March 25, 1872 · Scanned page

  57. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Eddy Run Improvement Company," approved the thirteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act 520 of 1872 · March 25, 1872 · Scanned page

  58. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act dividing the Twentieth ward of the city of Philadelphia, and creating a new ward to be known as the Twentyninth ward," approved the twenty-third day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 524 of 1872 · March 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  59. To enable George W. Steele, Albert A. Hopper and John Hopper, trustees of the Passaic Oil Company, to convey certain land in Venango county free fronv liability to escheat.

    Act 525 of 1872 · March 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  60. To incorporate the Monongahela Gas Company in the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 569 of 1872 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  61. To revise the grades of a part of the Twentieth and Twenty-eighth wards of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 599 of 1872 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  62. To incorporate the Manufacturers' Improvement

    Act 633 of 1872 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  63. To authorize the trustees of the property belonging to the Norriatown Preparative Meeting of Friends, in the county of Montgomery, to convey certain real estate.

    Act 643 of 1872 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  64. To enable F. B. and A. Laughlin to keep and maintain a bridge over Mahoning creek, in Armstong county.

    Act 644 of 1872 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  65. For the relief of Joseph Liness.

    Act 661 of 1872 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  66. To aaul the marriage contract berwetJh George W. Jacobs and Edleeu, hi.s wife. ^nEREAS, George W. Jacobs, of Philadelphia, in tbe commowealth of Pennsylvania, has presented his petition to the Sente and House of Representatives of said commonwealth fort divorce from his wife Edleen : nd whereai^^ The reasons set forth in said petition arc suii'ient to entitle him to a divorce, and the courts

    Act 741 of 1872 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  67. authorize the school directors of Chapman borough, Northimpton county, to borrow money exceeding five per centum of the last adjusted valuation of property, for the erection of a school house in said borough.

    Act 742 of 1872 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  68. Supplement to an act to incorporate a company by ihe name, style and title of the Wayriesburg Turnpike Road Company, with power to construct a road from a point at or neartheniouthof Bate's fork of Ten Mile creek, by the way of Waynesburg, to the east end of Morrisville, iu Greene county, approved tlie second day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, and the several supplements thereto.

    Act 806 of 1872 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  69. To incorporate the Downingtown Real Estate Association.

    Act 851 of 1872 · February 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  70. To authorizo the auditor general to open an rc-settle the accounts of Charles H. Fritz, hue treasurer olJerks counry.

    Act 1107 of 1872 · June 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  71. To authorize the printing of the report of the fish commissioner, for the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Resolution 2 of 1872 · P.L. 1186 · February 6, 1872 · Scanned page

  72. Providing for the examination intotlie -works supplying the city of Harrisburg witli water.

    Resolution 5 of 1872 · P.L. 1188 · February 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  73. Appropriating moni^y to ex!)erises of the contested election in the Fourth senatorial district.

    Resolution of 1872 · P.L. 1189 · March 8, 1872 · Scanned page

  74. Authorizinfr the payment of the fees of the witnesses and sergeant-atarms in the contested election case of Green versus Shortt.

    Resolution 6 of 1872 · P.L. 1189 · February 21, 1872 · Scanned page

  75. Appropriating money for expenses in case of the investigation of the accounts of George O.

    Resolution of 1872 · P.L. 1190 · March 8, 1872 · Scanned page

  76. For the pay of C. C. Mullin, late night watchnoan of the Senate.

    Resolution 9 of 1872 · P.L. 1190 · March 8, 1872 · Scanned page

  77. Relating to the fitting up the halls of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Resolution 10 of 1872 · P.L. 1191 · March 8, 1872 · Scanned page

  78. To pay Amos Briggs, associate judge of Philadelphia.

    Resolution 19 of 1872 · P.L. 1198 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  79. Providing for additional copies of Smull's Legislative

    Resolution 20 of 1872 · P.L. 1199 · April 4, 1872 · Scanned page

  80. Directing tliree thousand copies of proceedings in regard to deaths of George Connell and H. S. Evans to be printed and bound.

    Resolution 21 of 1872 · P.L. 1199 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  81. Ratifying the appointment of addicional members of the Senate and House of Kepreseutatives upon the centenary commission.

    Resolution 22 of 1872 · P.L. 1200 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  82. To pay the expenses of the cotumitiee appointed to investitrate returns, et cetera, made by certain railroads and canals.

    Resolution 23 of 1872 · P.L. 1200 · April 4, 1872 · Scanned page

  83. No. 24 •1^ Kelative to the contested election case from the Fourth senatorial district, and the contesteii representative election case from the county of Warren.

    Resolution of 1872 · P.L. 1201 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  84. To pay H. H. Grimm for services to the legislature.

    Resolution 25 of 1872 · P.L. 1202 · April 4, 1872 · Scanned page

  85. To pay the expenses of serving the writs in the ordering the special, election in the Fifth senatorial district.

    Resolution 27 of 1872 · P.L. 1203 · April 9, 1872 · Scanned page

  86. the payment of John T. Shormer, sergeant-at-arms of the House of Representatives, for serving writ for the special election in the Bedford and Fulton representative district.

    Resolution 28 of 1872 · P.L. 1204 · April 4, 1872 · Scanned page

  87. Providing for the printing of two thousand copies of the report of the board of trustees of the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania, for the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy, for the use of the Senate.

    Resolution 29 of 1872 · P.L. 1204 · 1872 · Scanned page

  88. Goiut fc^iilutiott Inquiring into the quaniity of land held by the Honey Brook Coal

    Resolution 30 of 1872 · P.L. 1205 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  89. Relative to the pay of B. F. Burroughs, for services as assistant fireman of the Senate.

    Resolution 32 of 1872 · P.L. 1206 · April 4, 1872 · Scanned page

  90. Ratifying the appointment of additional members of the Senate and House of Kepreseutatives upon the centenary commission.

    Resolution 22 of 1872 · April 3, 1872 · Scanned page

  91. To pay the expenses of the committee appointed to investigate returns, et cetera, made by certain railroads and canals.

    Resolution 23 of 1872 · April 4, 1872 · Scanned page

  92. Relative to the contested election case from the Fourth senatorial district, and the contesteii representative election case from the county of Warren.

    Resolution 24 of 1872 · April 5, 1872 · Scanned page

  93. To provide for the incorporation of iron and steel manufaeturiiig companies.

    Act 4 of 1873 · P.L. 28 · February 5, 1873 · Scanned page

  94. Declaratory of the law relating to square timber taken adrift in the West Branch, and regulating the control of the same.

    Act 7 of 1873 · P.L. 33 · February 11, 1873 · Scanned page

  95. Authorizing mining and manufacturing companies, or other organized companies or individuals, to give, and banks or other organized companies or individuals, to take and hold mortgages on real estate, to secure payment of notes, bills and renewals thereof.

    Act 8 of 1873 · P.L. 35 · February 17, 1873 · Scanned page

  96. In relation to writs of estrepement.

    Act 9 of 1873 · P.L. 35 · February 18, 1873 · Scanned page

  97. To authorize the governor to appoint additional notaries public.

    Act 10 of 1873 · P.L. 36 · February 19, 1873 · Scanned page

  98. To authorize mining and manufacturing companies to issue bonds and mortgages, and to use the same as collaterals for bank accounts. May issue and sou

    Act 11 of 1873 · P.L. 36 · February 20, 1873 · Scanned page

  99. To increase the pay of jurors in this commonwealth.

    Act 12 of 1873 · P.L. 37 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page

  100. Supplement to an act to provide for the erection of a state penitentiary, on the public land adjoining the town of Allegheny, opposite Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny, approved March third. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

    Act 15 of 1873 · P.L. 38 · March 7, 1873 · 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.