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.
2,121 laws of the 1830s
Constitution of 1790
To incorporate "The Humane Hose company of the city of Lancaster"
Act 32 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To exempt from taxation the corporate property of "The Female Society of Philadelphia for the relief and employment of the poor"
Act 33 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate a company in the borough of New Brighton, to be called the Jefferson Fire company
Act 34 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Relating to the election of Supervisors, in the county of M'Kean
Act 35 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the president and managers of the Elizabeth turnpike road company
Act 36 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize the Governor to incorporate a company, to make a turnpike road, to connect the Williamsport and Elmira rail road with the Blossburg and Painted Post rail road
Act 37 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate "The Friendship Engine and Hose Company," in Chambersburg
Act 38 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Manor turnpike Road company
Act 39 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Providing for the erection of a dam and flood-gate, at the mouth of Hollander's creek, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 40 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to authorize the Governor to incorporate a company, for making a turnpike road from the Belmont and Easton turnpike road, at or near the road to Edmond Harford's mill, through Newfoundland, to the Belmont and Easton turnpike, near the line of Wayne an
Act 41 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to provide for the erection of a house, for the employment and support of the poor in the county of Cumberland - amend - poor to be provided for; paupers may be discharged and re-admitted; powers of directors; apprentices
Act 42 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
For laying out, opening and regulating streets, lanes and allies, within the limits of the borough of Womelsdorf, Berks county
Act 43 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to authorize the appointment of commissioners to take the acknowledgment of deeds and instruments of writing under seal - amend - duties of commissioners
Act 44 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Providing for the improvement of the road leading from Coudersport, in Potter county, to the New York state line, about two miles west of Cerestown, in M'Kean county
Act 45 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To confer on Maria Elizabeth Wittman, Charles Decatur Pritchett, Rebecca Ann Pritchett, Elizabeth Pritchett, John Pritchett, and Mary Pritchett, the rights and benefits of children born in lawful wedlock
Act 46 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Bradford county Mutual Insurance Company, and for other purposes - amend - corporators removed
Act 47 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing a Temporary Loan
Act 48 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To provide for the election of three supervisors, in the township of Franklin, Fayette county; and for the election of constables, in the township of Connellsville; and for the election of constables in Somerset county
Act 49 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing the commissioners of Allegheny county, to borrow a sum of money, to complete the public buildings in said county, and for other purposes
Act 50 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing the Governor of Pennsylvania to subscribe for stock in the Franklin Railroad company
Act 51 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize the erection of Free Bridges, over the river Schuylkill, at or near Philadelphia
Act 52 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of Lebanon - amend - directors to provide for poor; administering oaths
Act 53 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing Mary McCormick to change her name to Mary Temple
Act 54 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Vesting the title of a school house and burial ground in the corporation of the borough of Pottsville, in the county of Schuylkill
Act 55 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize John Vance, John Colmerry, and Henry Vance, guardians of the minor children of John Scott, deceased late of Washington county, to sell and convey certain real estate, and for other purposes
Act 56 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To provide for the erection of a House for the employment and support of the Poor in the county of Columbia
Act 57 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of a State Road from the borough of Allentown, Lehigh county, to the borough of Pottstown, Montgomery county, and from thence to West-Chester, in Chester county
Act 58 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to authorize Joseph Engle and Archibald T. Dick, to sell and convey certain real estate, held by them in trust - amend - Jeremiah W. Flicker authorized to sell interests
Act 59 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
For the relief of the German Reformed Congregation of Germantown
Act 60 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize James Gregg to erect a Dam in the Kiskeminetas River
Act 61 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Susquehanna County Mutual Insurance Company
Act 62 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Further supplement to the act to incorporate the town of West-Chester, in the county of Chester, into a borough - amend - water not to be diverted
Act 63 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To establish a District Court in the counties of Erie, Crawford, and Venango
Act 64 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Philadelphia and Trenton Rail Road company - amend - continue railroad; construct road
Act 65 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Making appropriation for the Western Penitentiary
Act 66 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing the building of a Lock-up House, in Manayunk, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 67 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Empowering the Lutheran Congregation of the old Goshenhoppen church, in Upper Salford township, in Montgomery county, to collect their outstanding debts
Act 68 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize the Governor to incorporate the president, managers, and company, of the Centreville and Donegal Clay Turnpike Road company, and for other purposes
Act 69 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to provide for repairs and continue the improvements of the state, and for other purposes - amend - canal commissioners to examine outlet lock
Act 70 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Fishing Creek rail road company - amend - additional commissioners; additional powers
Act 71 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act incorporating the Buck Mountain Coal Company - amend - time of completion extended; increase of capital stock
Act 72 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Granting to the trustees under the will of James Lyle, further powers
Act 73 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Shrewsbury Rail Road company, in the county of York
Act 74 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize Isaac Koons, trustee under the will of Andrew Thatcher, late of the Northern Liberties of the county of Philadelphia, deceased, to make sale of certain real estate
Act 75 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act authorizing the construction of a rail road to connect the North Branch division of the Pennsylvania canal, at or within the borough of Wilkesbarre, with the slack water navigation of the Lehigh - amend - time for completion of road extended
Act 76 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Danville Female Seminary, in the town of Danville, in the county of Columbia
Act 77 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To increase the number of Jurors in the county of Union
Act 78 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To exempt the real estate of the Philadelphia Dispensary from taxation
Act 79 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to incorporate the summit Coal company - amend - capital stock; time of completing road extended
Act 80 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Lackawanna and Susquehanna Rail Road company - amend - annual elections; tolls changed; lateral railroad authorized; money borrowed
Act 81 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Dividing Ridge Rail Road Company
Act 82 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Relative to certain state roads and highways, in the counties of Luzerne, Somerset, Monroe and Northampton
Act 83 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Erie county Mutual Insurance Company
Act 84 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Franklin and Emlenton Turnpike Road company, and for other purposes - repeal - sections 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, and 82
Act 85 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To supply the borough of Harrisburg with Water
Act 86 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act incorporating the president, managers and company, of the Lancaster, Elizabethtown and Middletown turnpike road - amend - annual election; election 1839
Act 87 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Changing the time of holding the August term of the courts, in the county of Wayne, and for other purposes
Act 88 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing the sale of the real estate of Abraham Bare, late of Chester county, deceased
Act 89 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing the Commissioners of the county of Philadelphia, upon certain conditions to widen, grade and culvert a certain portion of Broad street in said county, and for other purposes
Act 90 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Stroudsburg Library Company
Act 91 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To change the name of the "Marion Riflemen," to the George Washington Artillery, and for other purposes
Act 92 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize the president and managers of the Huntingdon and Lewistown turnpike company, to alter the location of said turnpike through McVeytown
Act 93 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Granting aid to the Stroudsburg Academy in the county of Monroe, and for other purposes
Act 94 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the president and managers of the Bloody Run Turnpike Road company, and for other purposes
Act 95 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Further to amend an act to incorporate the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal Company
Act 96 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize the Governor to subscribe for stock to the companies for erecting bridges over the river Susquehanna, at the towns of Danville and Northumberland
Act 97 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to authorize the Sandy and Beaver canal company, to extend a canal into Pennsylvania - amend - powers continued; out-let lock at mouth of Little Beaver; borrow money; water of Big Beaver
Act 98 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize the executors of Lucy Salter, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate, and for other purposes
Act 99 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
For the relief of Adam Kenar, and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian Wars
Act 100 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Relating to the trial of Bemis and others, in York county
Act 101 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate the Williams Valley Railroad and Mining company, in Dauphin and Schuylkill counties
Act 102 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To exempt the buildings and ground belonging to the Philadelphia Library company from taxation, and for other purposes
Act 103 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Allegheny Coal Company
Act 104 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Anthracite Iron Company
Act 105 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To prescribe the manner of giving notice of application for banks
Act 106 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Luthersburg and Punxatawny turnpike road company - amend - extending the period within which the work on the Philadelphia Tide Lock Canal may be commenced
Act 107 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act for the incorporation of several bridge companies and for other purposes - amend - Lewistown and Tuscarora bridge time extended
Act 108 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Relative to Estates and Escheates, and to authorize the sale, conveyance, and partition of sundry real estate of minor children, and others
Act 109 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Western Pennsylvania Coal Company
Act 110 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act supplementary to a resolution relative to the claim of Brown and Sawyers - amend - directors of Wayne Co. Mutual Insurance company acts confirmed; privileges of freeholders
Act 111 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate "The Good Spring Creek Coal Company"
Act 112 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Changing the time of holding the courts in the fourteenth judicial district and for other purposes
Act 113 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Granting Jurisdiction to the Court of Common Pleas, of Adams county, in certain cases
Act 114 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Oxford Female Seminary in the county of Chester
Act 115 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To aid the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal Company
Act 116 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize the commissioners of York county to pay over certain moneys to the teachers of schools in the township of Hellam, and borough of Wrightsville
Act 117 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Relating to the several Courts in the County of Allegheny
Act 118 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Chester County Insurance Company - amend - insurance on lives of animals
Act 119 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Delaware County Mutual Protection Company
Act 120 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Towanda Rail Road and Coal Company
Act 121 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Forest Improvement Company
Act 122 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Bear Valley Coal Company
Act 123 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Allegheny and Bald Eagle Railroad, Coal, and Iron Company
Act 124 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate the Union Railroad and Mining Company
Act 125 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
For the better preservation of certain species of Game in the county of Adams and Dauphin
Act 126 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act incorporating the Warren County Mutual Insurance Company - amend - directors to receive subscriptions of stock; capital stock; election of officers
Act 127 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate a company to make a turnpike road from Dingman's Ferry, in Pike county, to intersect the Milford and Owego Turnpike road in said county, and for other purposes
Act 128 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To incorporate The Chambersburg Northern Fire Company
Act 129 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
Act for the sale of certain Islands in the river Susquehanna - amend - extended for one year
Act 130 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
To authorize the Governor to incorporate the President, Managers, and Company, of Laughlinstown and Waterford Clay Turnpike Road Company
Act 131 of 1839 · 1839 · Original text
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.