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The 1776 Philadelphia 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

149 laws of the 1760s

Province of Pennsylvania

  1. Granting to His Majesty the sum of 100,000 pounds and for striking the same in bills of credit in the manner hereinafter directed and for providing a fund for sinking the said bills of credit by a tax on all estates and taxables

    Ch. 453 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 7 · 1760 · Original text

  2. Enable the owners and possessors of the meadow at Point No Point in the precinct of Richmond in the county of Philadelphia to keep the banks, dams, sluices and flood-gates in repair and to raise a fund to defray the expense thereof

    Ch. 454 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 22 · 1760 · Original text

  3. Enable the owners of Greenwich Island to embank and drain the same, to keep the outside banks and dams in good repair forever and to raise a fund to defray sundry contingent and yearly expenses accruing thereon

    Ch. 455 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 33 · 1760 · Original text

  4. Prevent the hunting of deer and other wild beasts beyond the limits of the lands purchased of the Indians by the proprietaries of this province and against killing deer out of season

    Ch. 456 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 46 · 1760 · Original text

  5. Regulating the officers and soldiers in the pay of this province

    Ch. 457 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 51 · 1760 · Original text

  6. Enable the owners and possessors of the Northern District of Kingsess Meadow land in the county of Philadelphia to keep the banks, dams, sluices and flood-gates in repair and to raise a fund to defray the expense thereof

    Ch. 458 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 54 · 1761 · Original text

  7. Regulating wagoners, carters, draymen and porters within the city of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 459 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 65 · 1761 · Original text

  8. Regulate the assize of bread

    Ch. 460 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 69 · 1761 · Original text

  9. Enable Thomas Yorke, James Child, Daniel Rundle, Peter Chevalier and Enoch Story or any three of them to sell the provincial ship of war

    Ch. 461 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 72 · 1761 · Original text

  10. Enable the owners and possessors of the meadow at the west side of the mouth of Darby creek by the river Delaware in the township of Ridley in Chester County to keep the banks, dams, sluices and flood-gates in repair forever and to raise a fund

    Ch. 462 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 74 · 1761 · Original text

  11. Preservation of fish in the rivers Delaware, Susquahanna and the Lehigh, commonly called the Western Branch of Delaware

    Ch. 463 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 86 · 1761 · Original text

  12. Raising, paying and clothing 300 men properly officered for relieving the several forts and posts within the communication to Pittsburg and for continuing an act for regulating the officers and soldiers in the pay of this province

    Ch. 464 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 91 · 1761 · Original text

  13. Making the river Schuylkil navigable and for the preservation of the fish in the said river

    Ch. 465 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 93 · 1761 · Original text

  14. Enable certain trustees to sell lands in the county of Philadelphia settled in trust for the use of the minister of Oxford church and to receive the voluntary donations of the inhabitants and with the money arising therefrom to purchase other lands

    Ch. 466 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 100 · 1761 · Original text

  15. Laying a duty on Negroes and mulatto slaves imported into this province

    Ch. 467 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 104 · 1761 · Original text

  16. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for laying a duty on Negroes and mulatto slaves imported into this province."

    Ch. 468 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 110 · 1761 · Original text

  17. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to prevent the exportation of bad or unmerchantable staves, heading, boards and timber."

    Ch. 469 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 112 · 1761 · Original text

  18. Appointing certain persons hereinafter named to apply for and receive the distributive shares and proportions which are or shall be allotted to this province out of the sum or sums of money granted or to be granted by Parliament to the colonies

    Ch. 470 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 114 · 1761 · Original text

  19. Relief of William Griffitts with respect to the imprisonment of his person

    Ch. 471 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 118 · 1761 · Original text

  20. Enable the owners and possessors of Schuylkil Point Meadow land in the county of Philadelphia to keep the banks, dams, sluices and flood-gates in repair and to raise a fund to defray the expense thereof

    Ch. 472 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 124 · 1761 · Original text

  21. Enable the owners and occupiers of The Wicaco Meadows in the county of Philadelphia to keep the banks, dams, sluices and flood-gates in repair and to raise a fund to defray the expense thereof

    Ch. 473 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 135 · 1762 · Original text

  22. Enable the owners and possessors of a certain tract of marsh and meadow land therein described situate in the counties of Philadelphia and Chester to keep the banks, dams, sluices and flood-gates in repair and to raise a fund to defray the expense

    Ch. 474 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 146 · 1762 · Original text

  23. Enable the owners and possessors of the southern district of Darby marsh or meadow ground in the county of Chester to embank and drain the same, to make and keep the outside banks and dams in good repair forever and to raise a fund to defray the expense

    Ch. 475 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 160 · 1762 · Original text

  24. Recovery of the duties of tonnage upon ships and vessels and certain other duties upon wine, rum, brandy and other spirits and upon sugar which became due by virtue of a law of this province lately expired and which were not received or secured

    Ch. 476 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 173 · 1762 · Original text

  25. Vesting the State House and other public buildings, with the lots of ground whereon the same are erected, together with other lots situate in the city of Philadelphia, in trustees for the uses therein particularly mentioned

    Ch. 477 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 177 · 1762 · Original text

  26. More effectual suppressing and preventing of lotteries

    Ch. 478 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 184 · 1762 · Original text

  27. Opening and better amending and keeping in repair the public roads and highways within this province

    Ch. 479 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 186 · 1762 · Original text

  28. Regulating, pitching, paving and cleansing the highways, streets, lanes and alleys and for regulating, making and amending the water-courses and common sewers within the inhabited and settled parts of the city of Philadelphia and for raising of money

    Ch. 480 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 196 · 1762 · Original text

  29. Erecting the southern suburbs of the city of Philadelphia into the District of Southwark, for making the streets and roads already laid out therein public roads and highways and for regulating such other streets and roads as the inhabitants may lay out

    Ch. 481 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 214 · 1762 · Original text

  30. Enable the trustees of the State House to purchase certain lots of ground, the remainder of the square whereon the said House now stands

    Ch. 482 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 223 · 1762 · Original text

  31. Granting to His Majesty the sum of 23,500 pounds for the purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 483 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 226 · 1762 · Original text

  32. Prevent and remove certain nuisances in and near the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 484 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 230 · 1763 · Original text

  33. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for regulating, pitching, paving and cleansing the highways, streets, lanes and alleys and for regulating, making and amending the watercourses and common sewers within ... the city of Philadelphia ..."

    Ch. 485 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 234 · 1763 · Original text

  34. Regulation of apprentices within this province

    Ch. 486 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 246 · 1763 · Original text

  35. Continue an act entitled "An act for regulating wagoners, carters, draymen and porters within the city of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 487 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 249 · 1763 · Original text

  36. Relief of persons whose apprentices or servants have enlisted in the late King's or his present Majesty's service

    Ch. 488 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 250 · 1763 · Original text

  37. Directing the choice of inspectors and for holding the general elections in the counties of Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks and Northampton

    Ch. 489 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 253 · 1763 · Original text

  38. Concerning cattle, horses and sheep trespassing within this province

    Ch. 490 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 261 · 1763 · Original text

  39. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to enable the owners and possessors of a certain tract of marsh and meadow land therein described situate in the counties of Philadelphia and Chester to keep the banks, dams, sluices and floodgates in repair ... "

    Ch. 491 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 266 · 1763 · Original text

  40. Enlarging and extending the Southern District of Darby Marsh or Meadow Ground

    Ch. 492 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 268 · 1763 · Original text

  41. Better to enable the persons therein named to hold lands and to invest them with the privileges of natural-born subjects of this province

    Ch. 493 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 270 · 1763 · Original text

  42. Altering and enlarging the time of holding the courts of general quarter sessions of the peace and gaol delivery in the Bucks county and enlarging the time of holding the courts of general quarter sessions of the peace and gaol delivery in Chester county

    Ch. 494 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 273 · 1763 · Original text

  43. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for opening and better amending and keeping in repair the public roads and highways within this province."

    Ch. 495 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 274 · 1763 · Original text

  44. Enable certain persons therein named to erect a court-house at Easton in the county of Northampton and to levy a tax on the inhabitants of the said county to defray the expense thereof

    Ch. 496 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 276 · 1763 · Original text

  45. Regulating the fines imposed upon the assessors chosen or to be chosen within this province

    Ch. 497 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 278 · 1763 · Original text

  46. Erecting a house of correction in the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 498 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 280 · 1763 · Original text

  47. Preventing abuses in the Indian trade and for securing and strengthening the peace and friendship lately concluded with the Indians inhabiting the northern and western frontiers of this province

    Ch. 499 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 283 · 1763 · Original text

  48. Regulating the hire of carriages to be employed in His Majesty's service

    Ch. 500 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 293 · 1763 · Original text

  49. Regulating the officers and soldiers in the pay of this province

    Ch. 501 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 297 · 1763 · Original text

  50. Erecting a light-house at the mouth of the bay of Delaware at or near Cape Henlopen, for placing and fixing buoys in the said bay and river Delaware and for appointing commissioners to receive, collect and recover certain sums of money heretofore raised

    Ch. 502 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 302 · 1763 · Original text

  51. Enable the commissioners for paving the streets of the city of Philadelphia to settle the accounts of the managers and to sue for and recover from several persons such sums of money as are now due and unpaid for paving the streets of the said city

    Ch. 503 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 305 · 1763 · Original text

  52. Continue an act entitled "An act for regulating and continuing the nightly watch and enlightening the streets, lanes and alleys of the city of Philadelphia and for raising money on the inhabitants and estates of the said city for defraying ... thereof."

    Ch. 504 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 309 · 1763 · Original text

  53. Granting to His Majesty the sum of 24,000 pounds for the defense and protection of this province and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 505 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 311 · 1763 · Original text

  54. Prohibit the selling of guns, gunpowder or other warlike stores to the Indians

    Ch. 506 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 319 · 1763 · Original text

  55. Regulating the officers and soldiers in the pay of this province

    Ch. 507 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 320 · 1763 · Original text

  56. Preventing tumults and riotous assemblies and for the more speedy and effectual punishing the rioters

    Ch. 508 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 325 · 1764 · Original text

  57. Payment of 10,947 pounds sterling in certain proportions to several colonies in America

    Ch. 509 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 329 · 1764 · Original text

  58. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for taking lands in execution for payment of debts" and for confirming partitions in several instances heretofore made

    Ch. 510 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 331 · 1764 · Original text

  59. Relief of Samuel Wallis, a prisoner in the gaol of Philadelphia, with respect to the imprisonment of his person

    Ch. 511 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 335 · 1764 · Original text

  60. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the better settling intestates' estates" and for repealing one other act entitled "An act for amending the laws relating to the partition and distribution of intestates' estates."

    Ch. 512 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 339 · 1764 · Original text

  61. Granting to His Majesty the sum of 55,000 pounds and for striking the same in bills of credit in the manner hereinafter directed and for providing a fund for sinking the said bills of credit by a tax on all estates and taxables

    Ch. 513 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 344 · 1764 · Original text

  62. Regulating the officers and soldiers in the pay of this province and for continuing an act entitled "An act for regulating the hire of carriages to be employed in His Majesty's service."

    Ch. 514 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 367 · 1764 · Original text

  63. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the erecting a light-house at the mouth of the bay of Delaware at or near Cape Henlopen, for placing and fixing buoys in the said bay and river Delaware and for appointing commissioners to ... aforesaid."

    Ch. 515 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 372 · 1764 · Original text

  64. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for granting to His Majesty the sum of 24,000 pounds for the defense and protection of this province and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 516 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 379 · 1764 · Original text

  65. Raising by way of lottery the sum of 3,003 pounds, 15 shillings, for Episcopal churches in Philadelphia, Carlisle, York, Reading, Molattin, Huntingdon Township, etc.

    Ch. 517 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 382 · 1765 · Original text

  66. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for the relief of insolvent debtors within the province of Pennsylvania."

    Ch. 518 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 392 · 1765 · Original text

  67. Relief of Walter Davies, a languishing prisoner in the gaol of Philadelphia, with respect to the imprisonment of his person

    Ch. 519 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 393 · 1765 · Original text

  68. Relief of James Pearson, a prisoner in the gaol of Philadelphia, with respect to the imprisonment of his person

    Ch. 520 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 396 · 1765 · Original text

  69. Better to enable the persons therein named to hold lands and to invest them with the privileges of natural born subjects of this province

    Ch. 521 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 399 · 1765 · Original text

  70. Relief of Robert Lettis Hooper, junior, a prisoner in the gaol of Philadelphia, with respect to the imprisonment of his person

    Ch. 522 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 401 · 1765 · Original text

  71. Amending each and every of the acts of assembly of this province heretofore made for embanking and draining several parcels of marshy land situate in the counties of Philadelphia and Chester and for repairing and maintaining the banks, dams and sluices

    Ch. 523 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 405 · 1765 · Original text

  72. Supplement to an act entitled "A supplement to the act entitled 'An act for regulating, pitching, paving and cleansing the highways, streets, lanes and alleys and for regulating, making and amending the watercourses ... within ... Philadelphia ...' "

    Ch. 524 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 409 · 1765 · Original text

  73. Enable the owners and possessors of a certain piece of marsh or meadow ground hereinafter described situate in Kingsessing in the county of Philadelphia to embank and drain the same, to make and keep the outside banks and dams in good repair forever, etc.

    Ch. 525 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 411 · 1765 · Original text

  74. Opening and better amending and keeping in repair the public roads and highways within this province

    Ch. 526 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 424 · 1765 · Original text

  75. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the prohibiting the importation of Germans or other passengers in too great numbers in any one vessel."

    Ch. 527 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 432 · 1765 · Original text

  76. Enable the inhabitants of the borough of Lancaster in the county of Lancaster to raise money on themselves for supporting a nightly watch in the said borough and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 528 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 441 · 1765 · Original text

  77. More easy recovery of legacies

    Ch. 529 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 453 · 1765 · Original text

  78. Enable the commissioners hereinafter named to settle the accounts of the managers and to sue for and recover from several persons such sums of money as are now due and unpaid for erecting a bridge over Skippack creek in Philadelphia

    Ch. 530 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 456 · 1765 · Original text

  79. Explain and amend a supplement to an act entitled "An act for the relief of insolvent debtors within the province of Pennsylvania."

    Ch. 531 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 459 · 1765 · Original text

  80. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to continue an act entitled 'An act for regulating and continuing the nightly watch and enlightening the streets, lanes and alleys of the city of Philadelphia and for raising of money on the inhabitants ...' "

    Ch. 532 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 5 · 1766 · Original text

  81. Prevent cutting or damaging the ropes used by the ferrymen on Schuylkill or elsewhere within this province

    Ch. 533 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 7 · 1766 · Original text

  82. Better employment, relief and support of the poor within the city of Philadelphia, the district of Southwark, the townships of Moyamensing and Passyunk and the Northern Liberties

    Ch. 534 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 9 · 1766 · Original text

  83. Prevent the destruction of small rock-fish and taking of oysters and bringing them into this province out of season

    Ch. 535 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 17 · 1766 · Original text

  84. Appointing wardens for the port of Philadelphia and for the regulating pilots plying in the river and bay of Delaware and the price of pilotage to and from the said port

    Ch. 536 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 19 · 1766 · Original text

  85. Supplement to the act entitled "A supplement to the act entitled 'An act for regulating, pitching, paving and cleansing the highways, streets, lanes and alleys of the city of Philadelphia,' " etc.

    Ch. 537 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 28 · 1766 · Original text

  86. Prolong the time limited for drawing the lottery instituted and directed to be drawn in and by the virtue of an act entitled "An act for raising by way of lottery the sum of ... for ... Episcopal churches in the city of Philadelphia," etc.

    Ch. 538 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 30 · 1766 · Original text

  87. Directing the choice of inspectors and for holding the general elections in this province

    Ch. 539 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 32 · 1766 · Original text

  88. Supplement to the act entitled "A supplement to the act entitled 'An act for erecting a light-house at the mouth of the bay of Delaware at or near Cape Henlopen, for placing and fixing buoys in the said bay and river Delaware,' " etc.

    Ch. 540 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 40 · 1766 · Original text

  89. Repeal the act entitled "An act to enable the inhabitants of the borough of Lancaster in the county of Lancaste, to raise money on themselves for supporting a nightly watch in the said borough and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 541 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 44 · 1766 · Original text

  90. Granting to His Majesty the sum of 4,000 pounds out of the money now remaining in the hands of the provincial treasurer

    Ch. 542 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 45 · 1766 · Original text

  91. Better to enable the persons therein named to hold lands and to invest them with the privileges of natural born subjects of this province

    Ch. 543 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 47 · 1766 · Original text

  92. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to enable certain persons therein named to erect a court-house at Easton in the county of Northampton and to levy a tax upon the inhabitants of the said county to defray the expense thereof."

    Ch. 544 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 49 · 1766 · Original text

  93. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to prolong the time limited for drawing the lottery instituted and directed to be drawn in and by virtue of an act entitled 'An act for raising ... for ... Episcopal churches in the city of Philadelphia ...' " etc.

    Ch. 545 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 51 · 1766 · Original text

  94. Enable the commissioners hereinafter named to settle the accounts of the managers and to sue for and recover from several persons for erecting a house of worship at Carlisle in Cumberland county for the First Presbyterian congregation

    Ch. 546 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 52 · 1766 · Original text

  95. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for granting to His Majesty the sum of 55,000 pounds and for striking the same in bills of credit and for providing a fund for sinking the said bills of credit by a tax on all estates ...and taxables."

    Ch. 547 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 55 · 1766 · Original text

  96. Amend the act entitled "An act to prevent the exportation of bread and flour not merchantable."

    Ch. 548 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 57 · 1767 · Original text

  97. Enable the owners and possessors of the Moyamensing Meadows in the county of Philadelphia to keep the banks, dams, sluices and floodgates in repair and to raise a fund to defray the expenses thereof

    Ch. 549 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 61 · 1767 · Original text

  98. Relief of Thomas Reilly and John Whitpane, languishing prisoners in the gaol of Philadelphia, with respect to the imprisonment of their persons

    Ch. 550 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 69 · 1767 · Original text

  99. Enable the commissioners thereinafter named to settle the accounts of the managers and to sue for and recover from several persons for erecting a house of worship in Lancaster borough for the Presbyterian congregation

    Ch. 551 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 72 · 1767 · Original text

  100. Amending the act entitled "An act for the better employment, relief and support of the poor within the city of Philadelphia, the district of Southwark, the townships of Moyamensing and Passyunk and the Northern Liberties."

    Ch. 552 · 7 Pa. Stat. at Large 75 · 1767 · Original text

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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.