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.
3,241 laws of the 1840s
Constitution of 1838
To annul the marriage contract of William Drayton and Annie his wife
Act 101 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Independent Church of Gettysburg; and for other purposes
Act 102 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate a company in the borough of Bedford, to be called the United States Fire company of Bedford
Act 103 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the "Hellertown Company for the insurance of the lives of Horses, and the detection of horse thieves"
Act 104 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the town of Edinboro, in the county of Erie, into a borough
Act 105 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to enable the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road, by the best and nearest route, from the borough of Sunbury, in the county of Northumberland, to the borough of Reading, in the county of Berks, and for other purposes - ame
Act 106 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act for acknowledging and recording of deeds - amend - acknowledgment of deeds under seal by proper officers declared goo without proof of seal
Act 107 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the St. Paul's Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum of the city of Pittsburg
Act 108 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Authorizing the commissioners of Berks county to borrow money, and for other purposes
Act 109 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate a company to make a turnpike road from the borough of Birmingham, in St. Clair township, Allegheny county, to a point at or near Samuel Hamilton's Mill, in Mifflin township, in said county, and for other
Act 110 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Cattle Life and Farmer's Fire Insurance company
Act 111 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To authorize the issuing of new certificates of State stock, in lieu of certificates lost or destroyed
Act 112 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of Adams, and for other purposes - amend - extend to Adams county; male children of Cumberland county to be bound out
Act 113 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Loan privileges, and to grant Insurance privileges to the Southern Loan company of Philadelphia - repeal
Act 114 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act regulating election districts, and for other purposes - amend - property destroyed by mobs in Philadelphia city and county
Act 115 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
For better securing the payment of ground rents
Act 116 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Lehigh Company for the Insurance of the lives of horses and the detection of horse thieves, and for other purposes
Act 117 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
For the relief of Aaron Wright and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 118 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the First Universalist Church of the city of Pittsburg
Act 119 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To authorize Caroline Stocker, widow of John Clements Stocker, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 120 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Bernville Academy of Berks county
Act 121 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Wysox Academy
Act 122 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Wyoming Bank at Wilkesbarre
Act 123 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Free-Will Baptist and Congregational Church of Jackson township, Susquehanna county
Act 124 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To authorize the trustees created by the last will and testament of John Donaughey, deceased, to invest the moneys belonging to the estate of the decedent, and other purposes
Act 125 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to authorize the administrators of Henry Mineum, late of Crawford county, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate, and for other purposes - amend - administrators to make deed to Samuel Peiffer; trustees to sell life estate
Act 126 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
For the extension of a State Road, from the Virginia State line, near the town of Blacksville, to the town of Waynesburg, in Greene county, and for other purposes
Act 127 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Relative to County Auditors, and for other purposes
Act 128 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Making compensation to William McCoy and William C. Leavensworth for expenses incurred and services rendered as agents for the commonwealth in discovering lands, late the estate of John Nicholson and Peter Baynton, and on which the commonwealth
Act 129 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To confer on George, Polly, Susan, Elizabeth, and Peggy Strohl, and Marinda Wurtz the rights and benefits of children born in lawful wedlock, and for other purposes
Act 130 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Declaring the Streets, Lanes and Alleys, in the town of Bloomsburg, in Columbia county, public highways, and authorizing the election of an additional supervisor, and for other purposes
Act 131 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act providing for the election of Aldermen and Justices of the Peace - amend - failure to elect; bonds; may retain dockets and deliver transcripts and fees
Act 132 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Relating to the election of School Directors, and to grant insurance privileges to the Mechanic's and Tradesman's Loan company of the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes
Act 133 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Mount Vernon Academy, and for other purposes
Act 134 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the York Water company - amend - procure additional supply of water; power to examine and select ground; proceeding when parties cannot agree upon compensation; hydrants
Act 135 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the City of Allegheny
Act 136 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the German Convention for promoting education
Act 137 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act incorporating the Sunbury canal company - amend - connect with river Susquehanna; time for completion of canal extended; width of canal
Act 138 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Woodland Cemetry company of Philadelphia
Act 139 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Woodland Cemetry company of Philadelphia
Act 139 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act relating to Orphan's court - amend - auditors appointed by courts; jurisdiction in partition extended; judicial districts; judges to examine books; duties of prothonotary of Montgomery county; new seals; writs of quo warranto
Act 140 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the President, Managers and Company of the Bustleton and Summerton Turnpike Road company
Act 141 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the city of Pittsburg, Wesley Chapel station
Act 142 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to enable the Governor to appoint Notaries Public - amend - term of office; notaries removed to deliver register and papers to recorder
Act 143 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Regulating Election Districts and for other purposes
Act 144 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to incorporate a Turnpike Road company - amend - toll; borrow money; bonds for lands sold for taxes recoverable; duties of sheriff on levy of unseated lands; duties of commissioners; laying out roads; granting Berwick Hydraulic company right to use wa
Act 145 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Incorporating the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Congregation of the Borough of Reading, and for other purposes
Act 146 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Western Hose Company of the City of Philadelphia
Act 147 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To settle the estates of John Nicholson and Peter Baynton
Act 148 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To establish an Academy at Centreville, in the county of Crawford
Act 149 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
For the relief of Elizabeth Hubley and others, widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 150 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To authorize the administrators of the estate of Washington E. Petit, to make and execute a deed to John Rutan, and to incorporate the town of Millsborough, in Washington county, into a borough
Act 151 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Lewisburg Academy, in Union county
Act 152 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Summit coal company - amend - time extended for completion of rail road
Act 153 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Lancaster Bank
Act 154 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Madison Academy of Abington Centre, in the county of Luzerne
Act 155 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Wrightsville Academy, in the county of York
Act 156 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the "Danville rail road company"
Act 157 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act incorporating the borough of Doylestown, in the county of Bucks - amend - corporate name changed; annual election; publishing ordinances; powers of justice of the peace vested in burgesses; dog tax
Act 158 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Mifflinburg Fire Company of Union County, and for other purposes
Act 159 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the President, Managers, and company, of the Loyalsock Gap Turnpike Road Company
Act 160 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Relating to Executions, and for other purposes
Act 161 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act incorporating the Norristown Insurance Company, of Montgomery county - amend - commissioners appointed; subscribe for stock; convey water into Norristown borough; erect hydrants
Act 162 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Honeybrook Presbyterian Church of the village of Waynesburg, in Chester county, and for other purposes
Act 163 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Incorporating the Methodist Episcopal Church of Milford, Pike county
Act 164 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act for the organization of a new county from parts of Venango and Armstrong, to be called Clarion - amend - commissioners to run boundary line; line permanent; election districts; Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia; power of trustees
Act 165 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Jonestown Academy
Act 166 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Acts regulating Hawkers and Pedlers - amend - license limited
Act 167 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Huntingdon Female Seminary in the borough of Huntingdon, in the county of Huntingdon
Act 168 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to authorize the Governor to incorporate a company to make a Canal Navigation round the western abutment of the Permanent bridge, over the river Schuylkill, at Philadelphia - amend - build two bridges
Act 169 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Muncy Female Seminary
Act 170 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate an Academy at Lock Haven, in Clinton county
Act 171 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act relative to the claim of Brown and Sawyer - amend - number of shares in Shippenville and Foxburg turnpike road company reduced; divorces
Act 172 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Miners Bank of Pottsville, in Schuylkill county - amend - charter extended; dividends; public officers not to embezzle
Act 173 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Spring Garden Fire Insurance company, of the county of Philadelphia - amend - name changed to the Spring Garden Insurance company
Act 174 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of George Lyman with Julia Ann his wife
Act 175 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Relative to the Warren Bridge company
Act 176 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act limiting the time during which judgments shall be a lien on real estate, and suits may be brought against the sureties of public officers - amend - liens limited
Act 177 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Chester county
Act 178 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to authorize the Governor to incorporate the President, Managers and Company of the Centreville and Donegal Clay Turnpike Road company, and for other purposes - amend - corporators; New Hope Lock company incorporated
Act 179 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Jenkinstown Lyceum, and for other purposes
Act 180 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act to consolidate and amend the several acts relative to a general system of education by common schools, and for other purposes - amend - teachers of common schools to be examined by directors; school year changed; vote to discontinue school system
Act 181 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Pottstown, in the county of Montgomery
Act 182 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Perrysville Bridge Company
Act 183 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act incorporating the town of Pottsville, in Schuylkill county, into a borough - amend - town council to regulate streets; expenses of curbing; two supervisors to be elected
Act 184 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To authorize the Governor to contract with the corporation of the borough of Harrisburg, for supplying the public buildings with water, and for other purposes
Act 185 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the New Castle Mutual Insurance Company, of Mercer county
Act 186 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Act for changing the time for holding special courts in the fourteenth judicial district, and for other purposes - amend - appropriation to Berwick Academy; tolls applied to repairs; completion of Bald Eagle and Spring creek navigation extended
Act 187 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate an Academy in the township of Abington, Montgomery county
Act 188 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To authorize the Governor to incorporate the Pottsville and Tuscarora Railroad Company
Act 189 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To authorize Charles J. Davis, of Chester county, to sell and convey certain real estate, in Pennsylvania
Act 190 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Robert Anners and Martha his wife
Act 191 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
Relative to the Sixth and Eighteenth Judicial Districts, and regulating the times of holding courts in the counties of Venango, Warren and Clarion
Act 192 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the East Whiteland Presbyterian Church in Chester county
Act 193 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To establish an Academy in the borough of Hamburg, in the county of Berks
Act 194 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of John Zuercher, and Magdalena Zuercher, his wife
Act 195 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Pioneer Fire Company, in Marietta
Act 196 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Southwark Fire Engine Company of Philadelphia
Act 197 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Union Library Company of Upper Dublin, in the county of Montgomery
Act 198 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text
To incorporate the Neptune Hose Company
Act 199 of 1840 · 1840 · 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.