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.
5,371 laws of the 1850s
Constitution of 1838
To incorporate the Lackawanna and Blcomsburg railroad company.
Act 391 of 1852 · P.L. 669 · 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Oild FcHows' Hall Association of Downingtown, in Chester county. Whf.reas, Certain citizens of this Commonwealth hereinafter named, p, have associated together for the purposes of benevolence and charity, and have with certain moneys purchased a lot or piece of ground situate in the village of Downingtown, Chester county, and erected on the same a large three story stone
Act 302 of 1852 · P.L. 671 · February 27, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate Curwinsville, in Pike township, Clearfield coiyity ronoh. into a
Act 27 of 1852 · P.L. 672 · February 3, 1852 · Scanned page
To amend the charter of incorporation of the borough of BristoS, granted tfie fourteenth day of November, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred and twenty, and the several acts supplementary thereto.
Act 67 of 1852 · P.L. 674 · February 15, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the First Presbyterian church and congregation of the town of Dauphin, Dauphin county.
Act 110 of 1852 · P.L. 681 · March 11, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Tacony Ferry Company.
Act 126 of 1852 · P.L. 682 · March 11, 1852 · Scanned page
To chansre the name of Patrick Gannon to Francis Patrick Gannon; Incorporating the M'lunt Joy Academy; and authorizing the guardians of the minor children of Jane Siriekler,of Lancaster county, to sell certain real estate.
Act 219 of 1852 · P.L. 684 · March 29, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Woodward Hill Cemetery 5 and relative to Cherry street m the borough of Columbia.
Act 221 of 1852 · P.L. 687 · March 29, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Charter House Association.
Act 237 of 1852 · P.L. 689 · April 3, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Lutheran congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran chtsrcb in the borough of Sliippensburg.
Act 245 of 1852 · P.L. 692 · April 10, 1852 · Scanned page
For the relief of Nathan P. Brower, Davis E. Brower, Ann W. Weaver, Grace Sweney, TlioiTiiis Weaver, and Ann Bond; incorpnratins; ilie Spring Garden Institiue; and relating to judgments obtained against school directors.
Act 285 of 1852 · P.L. 700 · April 12, 1852 · Scanned page
Relative to certain school districts in the cnnnties of Westmoreland, Fayette, Greene, and Wayne and Washington; incorporating the Brownsville cemetery J and for the relief of William Buehler.
Act 305 of 1852 · P.L. 703 · April 12, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Millersburg and Bailysburg railroad company; relatinjj to the desiruction of iisli in certain streams in Cumberland county; to the claim of Andrew Todd; to tlie Steam-pump and Towing company; to certain streets in the district of Moyamensing; to the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wilmington railroad company; and to fishing in Indian creek, Fayette county.
Act 312 of 1852 · P.L. 706 · April 12, 1852 · Scanned page
Authorizing; the acting trustee, named in the w\U of Jesse Hallowell, deceased, to sell certain real estate; to the Hebrew society; to certain election districts; and to the Spring Garden hose compauy.
Act 349 of 1852 · P.L. 708 · April 14, 1852 · Scanned page
To authorize and empower the Laurel Hill Cemetery Company in Penn township, in the county of Philadelphia, to purchase and hold more land and ground, and to extend its cemetery limits and for other purposes; relative to sheep and dogs; to the Port AlK'gnny Cemetery in the county of McKean; and granting tavern licenses in the borongh of Wellsboro', in the county of Tioga.
Act of 1852 · P.L. 710 · April 14, 1852 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Tionasta plank road compariy; to incorporate the Citizens' Cemetery; to aiiihonze Myron Park, and Mary C. Hays to sell real estate; relative to damages on the Erie extension; to school directors in Venango county; to the bottlers of cider and malt liquors in Philadelphia; to the collateral inheritance tax; requiring
Act 869 of 1852 · P.L. 712 · April 14, 1852 · Scanned page
Declaring; certain streams in the counties of Lycoming, Elk, and Clearfield public hit;li ways, anfl relative lo the claim of Bpnjamin Corle; to the estate of Louisa Pdiieau; to the borough of Easton, JJorihatnpton c >unty; to confer the rights of legitimacy on Andrew Jackfon M'Biirney and M-trgery M'Burney; to the erectinn of a new sclicol district in Greene county; and to the Jersey Shore bridge company.
Act 377 of 1852 · P.L. 716 · April 14, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate tho Susquehanna Fire Engine Company, of the borough of Co* jiinnbia, in ihe county of Lancaster 5 and to amend the charter of the Pennsylvarjia Fire Company.
Act 391 of 1852 · P.L. 718 · April 15, 1852 · Scanned page
To an ant entitled " An Act for the incorporation of the Pittsburgfj Kittanmng, and Warren Railroad Company," ajiproved the fourth day of April, one thouseight liundred and thirty-seven.
Act 396 of 1852 · P.L. 720 · April 15, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Susquehanna and Erie railroad
Act 401 of 1852 · P.L. 720 · April 15, 1852 · Scanned page
To annul the marriage contract of Philip Gangwer and Harriet his wife; relative to the trustee of the Green Ridge Improvement Company; the Loyalhanna Plank Road Company; to insane married women; and to the tax on the Short Mountain Coal Company.
Act 433 of 1852 · P.L. 724 · October 28, 1852 · Scanned page
To annul tiie marriage contract between Robert B. Eailey and Sophia, his wife.
Act 502 of 1852 · P.L. 727 · May 13, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the contributors to the fund for the relief of the ministers and their widows, cotinecied with the Synod of the German Reformed church, in the United States.
Act 408 of 1852 · P.L. 732 · April 9, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Chesnut Hill railroad company.
Act 388 of 1852 · P.L. 735 · April 10, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Summit Brarijh railroad company, in Dauphin and Schuylkill couniies.
Act 157 of 1852 · P.L. 743 · March 20, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Lancaster, Lebanon, and Pine Grove railroad company.
Act 185 of 1852 · P.L. 745 · March 28, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Luzerne and Schuylkill Railroad Company.
Act of 1852 · P.L. 755 · April 8, 1852 · Scanned page
Annulling the marriage contract between Daniel Gross and Barbara his wife.
Act 1 of 1852 · January 13, 1852 · Scanned page
Relative to the WJieeling bridge.
Resolution 2 of 1852 · P.L. 627 · February 16, 1852 · Scanned page
Directing the State Treasurer to pay Benjamin M. Feltvvell in full for erecting two of Cliilson's patent air-warming and ventilating furnaces for heating the hall of the House of Representatives.
Resolution 4 of 1852 · P.L. 629 · February 17, 1852 · Scanned page
Relative to the proposed removal of the United States Mint from the city of Philadelphia to the city of New York.
Resolution 8 of 1852 · P.L. 632 · March 2, 1852 · Scanned page
Relative to Smith O'Brien and his associates in exile.
Resolution 9 of 1852 · P.L. 633 · March 10, 1852 · Scanned page
In relation to tho Woodworth patent.
Resolution 11 of 1852 · P.L. 635 · April 5, 1852 · Scanned page
To pay expenses in a certain case therein mentioned.
Resolution 13 of 1852 · P.L. 636 · April 8, 1852 · Scanned page
Authorizino' the Governor to employ counsel to prosecute the suit of Elizabeth Parker for her freedom.
Resolution 14 of 1852 · P.L. 637 · April 13, 1852 · Scanned page
RESOLUTIONS 'Relating to the Parker patent for cast-iron submerged re-action water wheels;
Resolution 15 of 1852 · P.L. 637 · April 23, 1852 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Governor to appoint commissioners to revise the code of Pennsylvania.
Resolution 16 of 1852 · P.L. 638 · May 4, 1852 · Scanned page
Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the village of Hyde Park into a borough.
Act 14 of 1853 · P.L. 11 · January 25, 1853 · Scanned page
Relating to the estate of William Rush, late of the city of Philadelphia, deceased.
Act 17 of 1853 · P.L. 13 · January 25, 1853 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Norristown, Bridgeport, and King of Prussia turnpike road
Act 19 of 1853 · P.L. 15 · January 26, 1853 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled "An Act to incorporate the Ptiiladelphia, Easton, and Water Gap railroad company," approved the eighth day of April, Anno Domini, one ' thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
Act 20 of 1853 · P.L. 16 · January 26, 1853 · Scanned page
Relative to the safe-keeping of prisoners in the county of Lebanon.
Act 22 of 1853 · P.L. 19 · January 26, 1853 · Scanned page
Relating to the Chambersburg and Hagerstown railroad company.
Act 23 of 1853 · P.L. 20 · January 28, 1853 · Scanned page
Relative to supervisors in Blythe township, Schuylkill county.
Act 24 of 1853 · P.L. 20 · January 29, 1853 · Scanned page
In relaticMi to the Allen town Academy.
Act 25 of 1853 · P.L. 21 · January 29, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Spring Garden plank road company in York county.
Act 26 of 1853 · P.L. 22 · January 29, 1853 · Scanned page
To revive and continue in force the act entitled "An Act to graduate lands on which nnoney is due and unpaid to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Act 27 of 1853 · P.L. 23 · January 29, 1853 · Scanned page
Relating to certain election districts in Potter, Lyooming, Montour, and Clinton counties.
Act 28 of 1853 · P.L. 24 · January 29, 1853 · Scanned page
To authorize the connmissioners of Huntingdon county to appropriate a certain sum to erect a bridge over the Juniata river, at Huntingdon, on certain conditions.
Act 29 of 1853 · P.L. 24 · January 29, 1853 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Newtown Square and Paoli plank road company.
Act 30 of 1853 · P.L. 25 · January 29, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the West Philadelphia institute, and relating to constables in the district of West Philadelphia.
Act 32 of 1853 · P.L. 27 · January 29, 1853 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled "An Act to incorporate the Hazleton coal company," approved the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirtysix.
Act 33 of 1853 · P.L. 28 · January 29, 1853 · Scanned page
For the division of Northampton township, in Bucks county; relative to voting at elections in said county; to the Odd Fellows' hall association of Moyamensing; and to the West Chester and Philadelphia railroad company.
Act 34 of 1853 · P.L. 29 · February 2, 1853 · Scanned page
To aid the erection of a monument commemorative of the Declaration of American Independence.
Act 30 of 1853 · P.L. 31 · February 2, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Penn medical college of Philadelphia.
Act 37 of 1853 · P.L. 33 · February 2, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Daiby and Paschallville fire company, and repealing an act relative to certain duties to be performed by the commissioners of Clarion county.
Act 38 of 1853 · P.L. 34 · February 4, 1853 · Scanned page
For the relief of John Bon^hner, of Centre county, a Revohitionary soldier; and relative to the Marietta and Mount Juy turnpike road Company.
Act 39 of 1853 · P.L. 35 · February 3, 1853 · Scanned page
Authorizing the commissioners of the county of Montgomery to borrow ttioney.
Act 40 of 1853 · P.L. 35 · February 3, 1853 · Scanned page
Explanatory of the third and fourth sections of the supplement to the act incorporating the Susquehanna railroad company.
Act 41 of 1853 · P.L. 36 · February 4, 1853 · Scanned page
To enable the trustees of the Frankford Odd Fellows' hall association to borrow money; relative to the township of Delaware, Philadelphia county; to the commissioners of said county; to Commerce street, in the district of Richmond; and to the guardians of the poor of Philadelphia county.
Act 43 of 1853 · P.L. 37 · February 4, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Mechanics' savings bank of Harrisburg.
Act 44 of 1853 · P.L. 39 · February 5, 1853 · Scanned page
To repeal an act laying out a State road from Deardorff's mill, in Adams county, to Owen's liine-kiln, in York coLinty, approved March first, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
Act 45 of 1853 · P.L. 41 · February 7, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Chartiers Valley railroad company.
Act 46 of 1853 · P.L. 42 · February 7, 1853 · Scanned page
To regulate the salary of the health officer of the port of Philadelphia.
Act 47 of 1853 · P.L. 45 · February 8, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pliiladelphia steam propeller company.
Act 48 of 1853 · P.L. 46 · February 8, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Point Pleasant Delaware bridge company.
Act 50 of 1853 · P.L. 48 · February 9, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the North Western railroad company.
Act 51 of 1853 · P.L. 53 · February 9, 1853 · Scanned page
To amhorice the Manheim, Petersburg, and Lancaster tnrnpilie or plank road company to borrow money; relating to a State road in Lancaster and Chester counties; to the limits of the borough of Lebanon; to the Lancaster and Marietta turnpike road company.
Act 52 of 1853 · P.L. 55 · February 9, 1853 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Strasburg and Willow Street turnpike road company; relative to the Lafayette railroad company; and to the collection of taxes in Warwick township, Lancaster county.
Act 53 of 1853 · P.L. 57 · February 9, 1853 · Scanned page
Regulating certain election districts.
Act 54 of 1853 · P.L. 58 · February 9, 1853 · Scanned page
For the relief of the widow of Thomas Noblet, deceased, a soldier of the Revolutionary war: relative to the Philadelphia, Germantown, and Norristown railroad company; and to a State road in Bedford and Fulton counties.
Act 55 of 1853 · P.L. 60 · February 10, 1853 · Scanned page
For the relief of Elizabeth Wise, widow of MartinWise, a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
Act 56 of 1853 · P.L. 61 · February 10, 1853 · Scanned page
Authorizing the commissioners of Cumberland county to borrow money, and for other purposes.
Act 57 of 1853 · P.L. 61 · February 10, 1853 · Scanned page
Authorizing the sale of certain real estate of the German Reformetl cnngregation of the city of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania; auihorizing the executors of Thomas Hart, deceased, and Wyndham H. Stokes and Edward C. Wayne to sell certain real estate; and relative to the Infant school society of Philadeiphia,
Act 58 of 1853 · P.L. 62 · February 11, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Cleveland and Mahoning railroad company.
Act 59 of 1853 · P.L. 64 · February 11, 1853 · Scanned page
Regulating railroad companies.
Act of 1853 · P.L. 66 · February 12, 1853 · Scanned page
To tlie sot of ihe nineteenth April, Anno Domini, one tliousand eight hundred and fifty, entitled "An Act 10 unite and consolidate M;irshail college with Franklin college, et cetera, and relative 10 the estate of John Sergeant, deceased." Preamble.
Act of 1853 · P.L. 76 · February 12, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Kensington and Frar.kforil plank road company.
Act 62 of 1853 · P.L. 77 · February 15, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Mount Zion cliurcli, at Churchtown, in Cumberland county.
Act 63 of 1853 · P.L. 80 · February 15, 1853 · Scanned page
To authorize the Canal Commissioners to examine the claims of John Weaver for damages sustained on the Allegheny Portage railroad at plane number two.
Act 65 of 1853 · P.L. 82 · February 15, 1853 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled "An Act to incorporate the State mutual fire insurance company of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Act 66 of 1853 · P.L. 82 · February 15, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Green Tree and Christiana turnpike road company; to sell a certain school house, in Lancaster county; to authorize the county commissioners of said county to borrow money.
Act 67 of 1853 · P.L. 84 · February 15, 1853 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act incorporating the Franford and Oxford turnpike company; relative to the Columbus beneficial society; and to an alley in the borough of Huntingdon.
Act 70 of 1853 · P.L. 87 · February 18, 1853 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled "An Act to establish a board of wardens for the port of Philadelphia, and for the regulation of pilots and pilotages, and for other purposes therein rnenlionedj" ap[)roved the iwerity-ninth of March, one thousand eight hundred and three.
Act 71 of 1853 · P.L. 88 · February 18, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Kiit.mning cemetery;:nd in relation to elections in Upper Mount Brihel lowiisliip, m Northampton county.
Act 73 of 1853 · P.L. 89 · February 18, 1853 · Scanned page
To authorize the board of ilirectors of the O'Hara ?lass manutacinrina: company of Pittsburo; to borrow money; relative to the Pittsburg and Birmingham bridge; to the Pennsylvania slate company; to taxing dogs in the borough of Kittanning; and to the borough of Souih Pittsburg.
Act 75 of 1853 · P.L. 93 · February 22, 1853 · Scanned page
For the relief of Robert M. Lemon. ij
Act 76 of 1853 · P.L. 94 · February 22, 1853 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act emitled "An Act relating to the sale and conveyance of and coiifirinaiion of the title to certain real estate; incorporating the Central coal company; and authorizing the opening of Marion avenue, in the county of Pliiladelphia," approved tlie tenth day of April, A. D., one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
Act 77 of 1853 · P.L. 95 · February 23, 1853 · Scanned page
Relating to the termination of the North Branch extension of the Pennsylvania canal.
Act 78 of 1853 · P.L. 96 · February 23, 1853 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled "An Act to incorporate the Millers' Run and Cross Creek Valley plank road connpany.
Act 80 of 1853 · P.L. 97 · February 23, 1853 · Scanned page
To give power to the orphans' court to grant relief in certain cases. PjeatKlle. "VVllEREAS, It sometimes happens that testators bequeath annuities or legacies of principal sums payable at distant periods, or upon contingencies, or under other circumstances which prevent the payment and discharge of such legacies in the usual course of administration, and charge their residuary real estate
Act 81 of 1853 · P.L. 98 · 1853 · Scanned page
To legitimatize Edgar Il^jenfritz, of York county; relative to the boroughs of York, Hanover; and to the Warren and Pinegrove railroad company.
Act 82 of 1853 · P.L. 100 · February 23, 1853 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act incorporating the Catawissa, Willianipport, and Erie railroad company; changing the tinie of holding the election of the Philadelphia and Pavonia lerry company.
Act 83 of 1853 · P.L. 101 · February 23, 1853 · Scanned page
To charter the Lower Merioa plank road company.
Act 84 of 1853 · P.L. 102 · February 24, 1853 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Cliartiers Valley plankroad company; relative to the Rirmingham and Brownsville turnpike road company; and to the sujiport of the poor in Allegheny county.
Act 85 of 1853 · P.L. 103 · February 24, 1853 · Scanned page
To authorize the trustees of Frederick Graff, tleceased, to sell certain real estate; changing the name of Harriet Newell Weaver to Harriet Newell Wayne; incorporating ilie Philndeiphia medico legal college; relating to the Erie gas company; auihonzing ilit^ directors of turnpike and plank road companies to supply vacancies; and changing the name of Stella M. Reynolds to Stella M.
Act 86 of 1853 · P.L. 105 · 1853 · Scanned page
To an net entitled "An Act to incorporate the Penn mutual life insurance company.
Act 87 of 1853 · P.L. 107 · February 24, 1853 · Scanned page
To change the name of the borough of Mechanicsbnrg, in the county of York, to that of Stewartstown; relative to the Keystone life insurance company; and to the school directors of the Tiinkhannock scliool district.
Act 88 of 1853 · P.L. 108 · February 24, 1853 · Scanned page
To compensate Beckwith S. Brockway for certain services rendered in the State library.
Act 89 of 1853 · P.L. 109 · February 24, 1853 · Scanned page
Annexing the counties of Bradford, Susquehanns, Luzerne, Tioga, and Wyoming, to the eastern district of the supreme court.
Act 90 of 1853 · P.L. 109 · February 24, 1853 · 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.