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, entitled ''An Act to provide for the re-examination and re= settlement of the several accounts of the receipts and expenditures of the bounty fund for Codorus township, in the county of York," approved the ninth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Act 158 of 1873 · P.L. 178 · February 2, 1873 · Scanned page
To repeal an act authorizing an appeal from the assessments in Erie countj' to the court of common pleas of said county.
Act 160 of 1873 · P.L. 179 · February 2, 1873 · Scanned page
To extend to certain counties an act, entitled "An Act to prevent trespassing upon railroad cars in the county of Berks," approved the twenty-first day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Act 163 of 1873 · P.L. 181 · February 27, 1873 · Scanned page
Relating to the fees of the sheriff and prothonotary of Huntingdon county.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 182 · February 27, 1873 · Scanned page
Relative to the pay of jurors in the county of Bucks.
Act 165 of 1873 · P.L. 182 · February 27, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the supervisors of Pymatuning township, Mercer county, to levy additional taxes for road purposes.
Act 166 of 1873 · P.L. 182 · February 27, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relating to the erection of school buildings in the borough of Covington, Tioga county, authorizing the directors to borrow money," approved April tenth, Anuo Domini one thousand eight hundred and bixty-seven, empowering the school directors of said borough to borrow money to pay outstanding bonds.
Act 169 of 1873 · P.L. 184 · 1873 · Scanned page
To extend the provisious of an act, entitled "An Act to prevent cattle, horses, sheep, pjoats and swine from running at larjre in the townships of Suijar Grove and Freehold, in the county of Warren, and Plum township, in the county of Venango, to the townships of Pine Grove and Pittsfleld, in the county of Warren.
Act 170 of 1873 · P.L. 185 · February 28, 1873 · Scanned page
To legalize the assessment made by the school directors of Manor /''township of a tax to pay costs in a certain case, and authorize payment of the same.
Act 171 of 1873 · P.L. 185 · February 28, 1873 · Scanned page
To prohibit the taking or killing of partridges or Virginia quail in Montgomery and Delaware counties.
Act 172 of 1873 · P.L. 186 · February 28, 1873 · Scanned page
of Oil Creek borough to collect their road tax in money.
Act 173 of 1873 · P.L. 186 · February 28, 1873 · Scanned page
To prevent the running at large of horses, cattle, mules, sheep and swine in the township of Frederick, county of Montgomery.
Act 174 of 1873 · P.L. 187 · February 28, 1873 · Scanned page
To prevent cattle, horses, mules, sheep and hogs from running at large in Wayne township, Lawrence county.
Act 175 of 1873 · P.L. 187 · February 28, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act relating to livery stable keepers in Allegheny, Berks and Westmoreland counties, extending the provisions of said act to Butler county.
Act 176 of 1873 · P.L. 188 · 1873 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Stockton Dining Saloon Association of Philadelphia.
Act 177 of 1873 · P.L. 188 · 1873 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Pittsburg and Birniiugham Passenger Railway Company to change and extend their double track from Seveuth avenue to the Uuion depot in the city of Pittsburg.
Act 178 of 1873 · P.L. 189 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
To fix the pay of county auditors in the county of Bedford.
Act 179 of 1873 · P.L. 190 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the scht)o] directors of the city of Franklin, in the county of Venango, to borrow money.
Act 180 of 1873 · P.L. 190 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
To exempt the German Hospital of the city of Philadelphia from certain taxes.
Act 182 of 1873 · P.L. 192 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Fairlawn Street Railway Company of the city of Scranton, approved the ninth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and seveuty-two.
Act 183 of 1873 · P.L. 192 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
To incorporate the city of Parker.
Act 184 of 1873 · P.L. 193 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
For the relief of William Kelley, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 196 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
To legalize provisions heretofore made in mortgages of married wamen in the county of Washington.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 196 · 1873 · Scanned page
To legalize an ordiuance passed the seventh, day of September, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, by the burgess and council of the borough of Manheim, changing the width of Market street in said borough, and granting a portion of the same for ornamental purposes.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 197 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
To increase the pay of county auditors in the county of Cumberland.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 198 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
Regulating advertisements of commissioners' sales of unseated lands in the county of Luzerne. Section I.
Act 191 of 1873 · P.L. 199 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
To cure the mistake of misnomers in sheriffs' deeds heretofore executed on process and judgment otherwise regular in the county of Washington.
Act 192 of 1873 · P.L. 199 · March 1, 1873 · Scanned page
Declaring the east branch of D3'beiTy creek a highwaj.
Act 193 of 1873 · P.L. 200 · March 4, 1873 · Scanned page
To divide the township of Kidder, county of Carbon, into two election districts.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 201 · March 4, 1873 · Scanned page
To extend the time for the completion of the Perliioinen Railroad.
Act 197 of 1873 · P.L. 202 · March 5, 1873 · Scanned page
To open aud grade Mica street, in the Seventh ward, of the city of
Act 198 of 1873 · P.L. 203 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Citizens' Passenger Railway Company of Philadelphia, allowing them to extend their tracks southward on Tenth and Eleventh streets.
Act 199 of 1873 · P.L. 203 · 1873 · Scanned page
Authorizing the county commissioners of the county of Perry, to make an appropriation out of the county funds for the erection of a bridge over the Big Buffalo creek, in Saville township, in said county, and providing for the erection of said bridge.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 204 · 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Red Bank Mining Company," approved the sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Act 200 of 1873 · P.L. 204 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the Sunbury Gas Company to issue additional bonds.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 205 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplementary to the act incorporating the borough of Easton, authorizing the town council to borroAV money and levy an additional tax, and providing for the collection of taxes.
Act 203 of 1873 · P.L. 205 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
Regulating the daily pay of witnesses and jurors in Northumberland and Columbia counties.
Act 205 of 1873 · P.L. 209 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act to incorporate theSpringhouse and Penllyn Turnpike Road Company, approved the seventh day of April, Anno Domini one tbou^sand eight hundred and sixty-throe.
Act 206 of 1873 · P.L. 209 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
To annul the marriage contract between Lillie S. Evans and Charles H.
Act 207 of 1873 · P.L. 210 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act authorizing the construction of a canal through Windmill island and the improvement of the navigation of the Delaware river, approved the fourteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
Act 208 of 1873 · P.L. 210 · 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act authorizing the constructing and making of Wildwood avenue, in the county of Allegheny, approved jSfay first, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, juoviding for the assessment of damages incurred by opening the same.
Act 211 of 1873 · P.L. 214 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
In reference to the laying out and opening of streets, lanes and alleys in the borough of Millvale, in the county of Allegheny.
Act 212 of 1873 · P.L. 215 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "A supplement to an act relating to the liens of mechanics and others upon buildings, so far as refers to the city of Philadelphia, providing for a speedy trial of certain claims.
Act 213 of 1873 · P.L. 215 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the state treasurer and auditor general to adjust the accounts of the Stroudsburg Bank.
Act 214 of 1873 · P.L. 216 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
To repeal an act, entitled "A supplement to an act relating to the lien of mechanics and others, upon buildings, approved the eleventh day of June, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six," approved the third day of April one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Act 215 of 1873 · P.L. 216 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page
To incorporate the West Laurel Hill Bridge Company, and to authorize said company to construct a turnpike road in Lower Merion township, Montgomery county, from their bridge, by way of Belmont avenue, to the boundary line between the city of Philadelphia and said county of Montgomery.
Act 216 of 1873 · P.L. 217 · 1873 · Scanned page
Relating to tho Ridge Avenue Passenger Railway Company, allowing said railway company to salt their track from Manay unk to Susquehanna avenue.
Act 217 of 1873 · P.L. 218 · March 7, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act granting certain authority to the burgess and town council of the borough of ^Yarren, to make regulations concerning the erection of wooden buildings in business portions of said borough.
Act 218 of 1873 · P.L. 219 · March 7, 1873 · Scanned page
Relating to the liens of mechanics, material-men and laborers upon leasehold estates and property thereon in the county of Butler.
Act 219 of 1873 · P.L. 219 · 1873 · Scanned page
Regulating the indexing of mortgages in the county of Lehigh.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 222 · 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to authorize the school directors of the borough of Pieasantville, Venango county, to borrow money, to issue bonds and to levy and collect a tax," approved the twenty-third day day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 223 · March 7, 1873 · Scanned page
To legitimate Josiah P. Hook, of Glade, Warren county, Pennsylvania, and confer upon him the rights and privileges of a child born in lawful wedlock.
Act 222 of 1873 · P.L. 223 · 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize tho immedlato opening of Delaware avenue, in the city ot Philadelphia.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 224 · March 7, 1873 · Scanned page
To the several acts in relation to the borougli of Gettysburg, authorizing said borough to borrow money, levy a special tax, change the mode of collecting borough and school taxes, and to elect auditors.
Act 225 of 1873 · P.L. 225 · 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize and direct the chief commissioner of highways of the city of Philadelphia, to open Berks street in the said city, from Howard to Seventh street, as the same is laid down on the plan of the said city after giving notice to property owners.
Act 226 of 1873 · P.L. 227 · March 7, 1873 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Wyoming Bridge Company,
Act 227 of 1873 · P.L. 227 · 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Saving Fund Society of Germantown and its vicinity," approved the sixth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, to authorize the payment of other rate of interest than four per cent, upon money deposited.
Act 228 of 1873 · P.L. 229 · March 7, 1873 · Scanned page
Preseribing the mode a ~ ' manner of electing the clerks of the city of l'ii,Lisour<^, 'id defining their duties.
Act 229 of 1873 · P.L. 229 · 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Schultzville, Mill City and Tunkhannock Turnpike Road Company, prescribing the manner of adjusting all claims for damages, establishing the rates of toll, and the penalty for injury done their roads, also authority to sell their branch roads, and to purchase real estate and dispose of the same.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 230 · March 7, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to provide for the erection of a house for the emploj^ment and support of the poor of the county of Cambria, approved the fifth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four. Diiectois to draw
Act 232 of 1873 · P.L. 234 · March 7, 1873 · Scanned page
Capital stock changed. ^ ^m^Ummi A supplement to an act to incorporate the American Volunteer Printing Company, approved June twenty-eight, one thousand eight hundred and seventy
Act 234 of 1873 · P.L. 236 · 1873 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Union Turnpike Road Company, in the county of Luzerne.
Act 235 of 1873 · P.L. 236 · 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the overseers of the poor of Davidson, Elkland, Forks and riillsgrove townships, Sullivan county, to levy a tax on unseated lands in said townships, and to enforce the collection of the same. \utiiorized to
Act of 1873 · P.L. 240 · 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Consolidated Gas Company, approved tho nineteenth day of Ma^', Anno Domini one thousand eiglit hundred and seventy-one. to authorize said company to borrow money at a rate of interest not exceeding eight per centum per annum, and to secure its payment by their bonds secured l)y mortgage.
Act 239 of 1873 · P.L. 241 · 1873 · Scanned page
To define the amount and character of certain bonds which may be issued by the city of Titusville to meet its general financial requirements, to authorize an increased amount of bonds for water works, to enable said city to obtain, purchase and hold certain property inside and outside of its corporate limits, and for the repeal of certain other laws or parts of laws relating to said city. Auiboiityof
Act 241 of 1873 · P.L. 242 · March 10, 1873 · Scanned page
Conferring additional privileges on the Johnstown Savings Batik.
Act 242 of 1873 · P.L. 244 · March 10, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the Cresson Springs Gompauy to issue preferred stock.
Act 243 of 1873 · P.L. 245 · March 10, 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Wilkes Barre Savings Bank," approved the twenty-eighth day of March, Anno Domini line thousand eight hundred and seventy, authorizing the stockholders to increase the capital stock of tho same.
Act 244 of 1873 · P.L. 245 · March 10, 1873 · Scanned page
To provide for the payment of the claim of James D. Whetham, for military damages.
Act 215 of 1873 · P.L. 246 · March 11, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the school directors of the borough of Shippensbur£», in the county of Cumberland, to borrow money not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars and to issue bonds therefor.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 247 · March 11, 1873 · Scanned page
To admit the children of Elias Prosaer to the benefits of the laws of the state of Pennsylvania relative to soldiers' orphans.
Act 249 of 1873 · P.L. 248 · 1873 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Forbes Street Passenger Railway Conqxiny.
Act 251 of 1873 · P.L. 249 · March 11, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the Tanite Company to borrow mouey, and for other purposes.
Act 252 of 1873 · P.L. 251 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
Changing the time of holding elections in the borough of Tarentum. county of Allegheny.
Act of 1873 · P.L. 255 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
the location of the streets and allej-s in tbe borough of ]Millville, in the count}' of Cambria, and to locate tbe boundaries of the same.
Act 257 of 1873 · P.L. 256 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
Relating to roads aud bridges and road and bridge viewers, in the county of Cambria. ceitaiu act
Act 259 of 1873 · P.L. 258 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran church, of the city of Pliiladelphia, to sell certain real estate.
Act 260 of 1873 · P.L. 258 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
For the relief of Peter C.
Act 261 of 1873 · P.L. 259 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To revive and extend the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act to provide for the re-examination and re-settlement of the accounts of certain public officers of the county of York, from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty," until the thirty-first day of December, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and
Act 262 of 1873 · P.L. 260 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
In relation to the fees of jurors and witnesses in the city of Philadelphia.
Act 265 of 1873 · P.L. 262 · 1873 · Scanned page
Relative to the commissioners of Warren county. Compensation of
Act 266 of 1873 · P.L. 262 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the overseers of the poor of Monroe township, in the countj^ of Wyoming, and the township of Beccaria, in the county of Clearfield, to levy tax on unseated lands for poor purposes, and enforce the collection of the same.
Act 267 of 1873 · P.L. 263 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
Authorizing the assessment, levying and collection of additional taxes in the borough of Millvale, in the county of Allegheny.
Act 268 of 1873 · P.L. 263 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To vacate a part of Rowe street, in the borough of Tamaqua.
Act 269 of 1873 · P.L. 264 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To extend the provisions of the first section of an act relating to tlie fees of the district attorney, in the county of Northampton, approved the third day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, to the county of Fayette.
Act 270 of 1873 · P.L. 264 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To vacate a part of Washington street, in the borough of Tamaqua.
Act 271 of 1873 · P.L. 265 · 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the burgess and town council of the borough of Livermore, Westmoreland county, to levy an additional tax for borough purposes.
Act 272 of 1873 · P.L. 265 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the members of the board of public education of the First school district of Pennsylvania, to sell certain real estate.
Act 273 of 1873 · P.L. 265 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To aa act to extend the limits of the borough of Indiana, approved May twenty-second, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, changing the limits as fixed in the supplement to said act, approved May first, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Act 274 of 1873 · P.L. 266 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the trustees of the will of Algernon S. Roberts to convey lands to the Rockhill Iron and Coal Company, and receive stock of said company in payment of same.
Act 276 of 1873 · P.L. 268 · 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Tuscarori Female Institute," approved the twelfth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty, partially changing the name of the same and authorizing it to grant diplomas and confer degrees.
Act 277 of 1873 · P.L. 269 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
Granting a pension to Joseph
Act 279 of 1873 · P.L. 270 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorise the councils of the city of Reading to widen Reed street. between Washington and Walnut streets, in said city.
Act 280 of 1873 · P.L. 270 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To prohibit the keeping of billiard rooms, bowling saloons and ten-pin alleys within tv/o miles of the State Normal School at ^[ansfieId, in the county of Tioga.
Act 281 of 1873 · P.L. 271 · 1873 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Central Land and Mining Company," approved the ninth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy, authorizing said company tn issue bonds to an amount not exceeding seven hundred thousand dollars, and to mortgage the franchises, real and personal estato of the company, or any portion thereof.
Act 282 of 1873 · P.L. 271 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To facilitate the collection of poor taxes in Germantown township, and in the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth precincts of the Twentyfirst ward, Philadelphia.
Act 283 of 1873 · P.L. 272 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
For the relief of Margaret Brobst, aged seventy-nine years, a resident of the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, widow of Frederick Brobst, late a soidier in the regular army of the war of one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, deceased.
Act 285 of 1873 · P.L. 273 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To authorize the sale of a lot of ground, in the Twenty-fourth ward, seln-cied for school purposes, and directing the disposition of the proceeds of said sale.
Act 286 of 1873 · P.L. 274 · March 12, 1873 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Union Bridge Company.
Act 287 of 1873 · P.L. 274 · March 13, 1873 · Scanned page
To empower the purchasers of the property of the Daguscahonda Improvement Company, to organize as a new corporation and execute a mortgage on its property. Sectio.v 1.
Act 289 of 1873 · P.L. 279 · March 13, 1873 · 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.