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 Perkiomen Consolidated Mining Company.
Act 51 of 1851 · P.L. 58 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Conewango Plank Road Company.
Act 52 of 1851 · P.L. 60 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the Susquehanna river, at or near York Furnace, in the county of York.
Act 53 of 1851 · P.L. 61 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Birmingham and Brownsville Macadamised Turnpike Road.
Act 54 of 1851 · P.L. 66 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Wilkesbarre and Scranton Raihod Company.
Act 55 of 1851 · P.L. 70 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to costs in the case of tlie Cotnmonweahh vs. Henry Cronister, of Adams county.
Act 56 of 1851 · P.L. 71 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize John Light, S. S., and Thrmas Light, to sell a certain church building in Lebanon county.
Act 57 of 1851 · P.L. 72 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
Providing for the puplication of the Colonial Records, and other original papers in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Act 58 of 1851 · P.L. 72 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the executors of William West, and the executors of Sarah F. Lewis, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate.
Act 60 of 1851 · P.L. 75 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the Pittsburg and Sieubenville Turnpike Road Company to plank a portion of their road.
Act 61 of 1851 · P.L. 76 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the Governor to incorporate the Perrysville Bridge Company.
Act 62 of 1851 · P.L. 77 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To prohibit the sale of spirituous, vinous, and malt liquors in Washington county, and to restrain the sale of spirituous liquors in the borough of Elizabeth, in Allegheny county.
Act 63 of 1851 · P.L. 82 · February 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To erect the village of Callensbnrg, in the county of Clarion, into a borough.
Act 64 of 1851 · P.L. 83 · February 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to Supervisors in the counties of Bucks, Pike, and Schuylkill.
Act 65 of 1851 · P.L. 84 · February 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled "An Act regulating election districts," approved the tenth day of Febntary, one tliousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
Act 66 of 1851 · P.L. 85 · February 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To the BOt entitled ** an An Act to incorporate the Penn Matual Life Insurance
Act 67 of 1851 · P.L. 85 · February 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Relating to supervisors, changing the road laws in certain counties, regulating certain election districts, and increasing the number of commissioners in the district of Penn, in Philadelphia county.
Act of 1851 · P.L. 87 · February 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To enable J. H. Markland, trrstee, &c., of Ann Mary Markland, to sell certain real estate.
Act 69 of 1851 · P.L. 89 · February 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize Mary M. Clarke (late Rogers) to sell certain real estate.
Act 70 of 1851 · P.L. 90 · February 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the estate of Jaines Paxton, deiieased.
Act 71 of 1851 · P.L. 91 · February 19, 1851 · Scanned page
To provide for the construction of a culvert along Cohocksink Creek, in the county of Philadelphia.
Act 72 of 1851 · P.L. 92 · February 20, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize Edward C. Wayne, and others, to sell certain real estate, and to legalize certain sales.
Act 73 of 1851 · P.L. 93 · February 20, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act autliorizing the Governor to incorporate the " Waynesbnrg, Greencasile,and Mercersburn; Turnpike Road Company," approved January twentyninth, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and
Act 74 of 1851 · P.L. 95 · February 20, 1851 · Scanned page
To provile for patenting certain ont-lots in the town of Franklin, Venango CTunty, and for vacating the streets, lanes, and alleys intersecting the same; and to authorize the sale of a church in Warren county.
Act 75 of 1851 · P.L. 96 · February 20, 1851 · Scanned page
For the relief of Levi Reynoldi.
Act 76 of 1851 · P.L. 97 · February 20, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled "An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia Life Insurance Company.
Act 77 of 1851 · P.L. 98 · February 20, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Martinsburg riaiik Road Company, in Blair county.
Act 78 of 1851 · P.L. 99 · February 20, 1851 · Scanned page
To change the notice required to be giren for the holding of special courts in the twentieth judicial district.
Act 79 of 1851 · P.L. 100 · February 22, 1851 · Scanned page
To extend the limits of the borough of Johnstown.
Act 80 of 1851 · P.L. 100 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
To repeal the second proviso of the second section of " An Act to incorporate the Bedford Water Company.
Act 81 of 1851 · P.L. 101 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Addison and Elkland Plank Road Company.
Act 82 of 1851 · P.L. 102 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
To erect the township and borough of Manch Chunk, Carbon county, into separate school districts.
Act 83 of 1851 · P.L. 103 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Odd Fellows' Hall Association of Safe Harbor, in the county of Lancaster.
Act 84 of 1851 · P.L. 103 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled " An Act relating; to Inns, Taverns, and Retailers of vinous and spirituous liquors," passed the eleventh day of March, in the year of otir Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.
Act 87 of 1851 · P.L. 108 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act entitled "An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia Saving Fund Scciety.
Act 88 of 1851 · P.L. 109 · February 27, 1851 · Scanned page
For the relief of Thomas Barr, spninr, and others, soUlier and widows of soldiers of the revolutionary and Indian wars.
Act 89 of 1851 · P.L. 110 · February 27, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize William P. Banm, guardian of Elizabeth and Margaret H. Carlisle, to execute a deed to the city of Pittsburg.
Act 90 of 1851 · P.L. 110 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing the sale of cprtain real estate, late of John Linerd, deceased, Sarah Thomas, Catharine Boilar, and Joliri Mariin Hartley.
Act 91 of 1851 · P.L. 111 · February 27, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the village of Bridgeport, in the county of Montgomery, into a borough.
Act 92 of 1851 · P.L. 115 · February 27, 1851 · Scanned page
To vest in Sarah Bower, of Perry county, the right of tliis Commonwealth to the estate of David B. Ewiiig, of said county.
Act 93 of 1851 · P.L. 120 · February 27, 1851 · Scanned page
To form the borough of Huntingdon, in the county of Huntingdon, into a separate school district.
Act 94 of 1851 · P.L. 121 · February 27, 1851 · Scanned page
To the aet entitled " An Act for the erection of a house for the support of the poor in the county of Mifflin, &o.," approved the twenty-second ^ay of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty, to lay out a State road from John Galers in Union county, to Benedict's Mill, in Mifflin county, relative to the width of South Third street, in the borough of Lewistovirn, and to the erection of
Act 95 of 1851 · P.L. 122 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act providing for the publication and distribution of the pamphlet laws of the Commonwealth.
Act 96 of 1851 · P.L. 124 · February 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize ihe Commissioners of Columbia county to convey certain real estate, and William Armstrong, of Jefferson county, to sell and convey certain real estate.
Act 97 of 1851 · P.L. 125 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
For the relief of John
Act 98 of 1851 · P.L. 126 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To defray the expenses of introducing gas, chandeliers, and other fixtures, into the public buildings, and to pay for the construction of a new board walk.
Act 99 of 1851 · P.L. 126 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Green Lane and Goshenhoppen Turnpike Road Company, passed the thirteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
Act 100 of 1851 · P.L. 127 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the Williamsport and Elmira Railrojid Company.
Act 101 of 1851 · P.L. 128 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
For the relief of the Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Wellsborough. "WhereaSj It appears by the petition of B. B. Smith, John N. ^ Bache, Henry Sherwood, R. G. White, and Charles G. Osgood, that ^'^^'"'''°on the eighteenth day of February, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, the court of Common Pleas of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, made a final decree, incorporating
Act 102 of 1851 · P.L. 129 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To lay out a State road from Carmichaeltown, in Greene county, to Miilsboro', in Washington county.
Act 104 of 1851 · P.L. 132 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
For rebuilding three county bridges in Berks county.
Act 105 of 1851 · P.L. 134 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Chestnut Hill Iron Ore Company.
Act 106 of 1851 · P.L. 135 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the trustees of Mary P. Lardner, formerly Mary P. Downing, to sell certain real estate.
Act 107 of 1851 · P.L. 138 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to school and election
Act 108 of 1851 · P.L. 139 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate in the township of Sandy Creek, Mercer county, a borough to be called the borough of Sheakleyville, and to erect it into a separate election district, and relative to a school district in Armstrong county.
Act 109 of 1851 · P.L. 140 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate "The Coal Run Improvement Company.
Act 110 of 1851 · P.L. 143 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act entitled" An Act to incoiporate the Waynesboro', Quincy, Funkstown, and Fayetteville Turnpike Road Company.
Act 111 of 1851 · P.L. 144 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To repeal an act authorizing the laying out of a State road leading from Washingtonville, in Montour county, to the borough of Muncy, in Lycoming county, and to vacate part of a certain State road in Columbia county.
Act 112 of 1851 · P.L. 145 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To prevent the destruction of fish in the counties of Washington and Fayette.
Act 113 of 1851 · P.L. 145 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Greenville and Centreville Turnpike Road Companj,
Act 114 of 1851 · P.L. 146 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the commissioners of Berks county to sell a lot of ground in the city of Reading, in said county.
Act 11 of 1851 · P.L. 147 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Fixing the place for holding the general and township election in Spring and Alsace townships, Berks county, and in Middletown township, Tioga county, and in Mahoning township, in Montour eounty.
Act 116 of 1851 · P.L. 148 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to certain election districts in the counties of Fayette and Allegheny.
Act 117 of 1851 · P.L. 149 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act authorizing the laying out of a State road from Allentown to Jonestown, and to repeal an act relating to road views in Jefferson county.
Act 118 of 1851 · P.L. 150 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing Jolin ScoU, guardian, to improve certain real estate belonging to his ward, Eliza M.
Act 119 of 1851 · P.L. 151 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Anlhorizing the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, in Sadsbury township, Chester county, to sell said church.
Act 120 of 1851 · P.L. 154 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Fixing the gnages of railroads in the oonnty of Erie. Whsrvas, The gaages or width hetwecn the nuls of the seyeral niboad tracks in the State of New York are four feet eight and onebaif inches, or six feet. And wherecu, Bj the general railroad law of the State of Ohio, the ftoages of the railrc^ds of that State are fixed at fonr feet ten inches; tiierefore,
Act 122 of 1851 · P.L. 154 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To include within the borough of New Berlin, Union county, a certain lot of ground belonging to Samuel B. Winters, and for the alteration of the borough law of Lewisburg, Union county, and relative to the destruction of fish in Blair county.
Act 121 of 1851 · P.L. 158 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To fix the place of holding the elections in the borough of Northumberland and township of Coal, in Northumberland county.
Act 125 of 1851 · P.L. 160 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To repeal certain road and bridge laws in Crawford and Lawren<'e counties, approved the seventh day of May, one thousand eight hundred and fortyfour, and supplements thereto.
Act 126 of 1851 · P.L. 161 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Relating to certain school districts and roads in Perry county, and relative to to elections in the borough of Landisburg, in said county.
Act 127 of 1851 · P.L. 161 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the city of
Act 128 of 1851 · P.L. 163 · March 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To include within the borough of New Berlio, Union county, a certain lot of ground belonging to Samuel B. Winters, and for the alteration of the borough law of Lewtsburg, Union county, and relatiTC to the destruction of fish io Blair county.
Act 124 of 1851 · P.L. 167 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act iiking valid the filing of !he plot or plan of the borough of Wrights-.ille, and for other purposes, relative to the said borough. Secti^ ■>: 1
Act 129 of 1851 · P.L. 175 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To change the names of Moses Ellsworth to Robert Robinson, of Am" raw Jackson Green to Harry Green Williams, of James Young to James Thompson Young, and of William Harrington Moss to William Harrington.
Act 130 of 1851 · P.L. 176 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the Governor to incorporate the Atlantic and Pacific Road and Navigation Company.
Act 131 of 1851 · P.L. 177 · 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing the directors of the City and County Mutual Insurance Company, to wind up and settle the aifairsof tlie company, and distribute tlie assets among the stockholders.
Act 132 of 1851 · P.L. 179 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Relating to the appointment of an auctioneer in the borough of Yoik, in the county of York, and relative lo the York and Gettysburg Turnpike Road Company.
Act 133 of 1851 · P.L. 180 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Richmond Gas Company.
Act 134 of 1851 · P.L. 181 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Springville and Tnnkliannock Creek Tiirniike and Plank Road Company.
Act 135 of 1851 · P.L. 184 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
For ihe relief of John Webster, of Chester county.
Act of 1851 · P.L. 185 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
For the relief of John Miller, of Blair conniy.
Act 130 of 1851 · P.L. 185 · 1851 · Scanned page
To provide for the erection of out-buiklings, and for the completion and furnishing of the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital.
Act 138 of 1851 · P.L. 186 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the president and managers of the Spruce Creek and Phiiipsburg Turnpike Road Company, approved the twenty-fourth day of March, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
Act 189 of 1851 · P.L. 186 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the estate of Samuel Walker, deceased. WiiERKAS, Samuel Walker, late of the cit}of Philadelphia, by his last will and testament, dated the first day of March, Anno Domini, ojic thousand eight hundred and twenty, and duly proved and registered iu the office of the Hogister of Wills for the city and county of Philadelphia, on the twenty-eighth day of November, Anno Domini, one
Act of 1851 · P.L. 187 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Mercer and Shenango Plank Road Company in Mercer county.
Act 141 of 1851 · P.L. 189 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Latlve to election districts in cei tain counties, and relative in the counties of Juniata and
Act 143 of 1851 · P.L. 190 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled " An Act extending the improvements in the borough of Pottstown, in the county of Montgomery, and for other purposes," approved the fifth day of April, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred antl forty-eight, and extending the limits of the borough of Montrose, Susquehanna county. Pottstowi ouoh.
Act 144 of 1851 · P.L. 192 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the estate of George W. Farqnhar, deceased.
Act 145 of 1851 · P.L. 193 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
For the relief of Elizabeth Jones.
Act 146 of 1851 · P.L. 194 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Garrettsford Plank Road Company, and relative to the Carlisle and Hanover Turnpike Road Company.
Act 147 of 1851 · P.L. 195 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Amliorizing Eve Martin, executrix of John Martin, deceased, and John Ba8E- )er, admistralor de bonis nnn of Chrisiian Ley, deceased, to s. II and convey certain real estate.
Act 148 of 1851 · P.L. 196 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act incorporating the Danborough and Plumsteadville Turnpike Road Company, and relative to a State road in Indiana county.
Act 149 of 1851 · P.L. 198 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Further provi* 61009. Tax. To an act entitled '* An Act to incorporate the Hazleton Coal Company," passed eighteenth March, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
Act 142 of 1851 · P.L. 199 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act for the establishment of a House of Refuge in Western Pennsylvania, passed April twenty-second, one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
Act 150 of 1851 · P.L. 199 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Providing for the erection of lock-up houses at Connellsvilte, in the county of Fayette, and at New Brighton, in the county of Beaver.
Act 151 of 1851 · P.L. 200 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Tarentiim and Saxonsburg Plank Road Company, and to repeal and authorize the laying out of a State road through Butler county.
Act 153 of 1851 · P.L. 203 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the laying out of a State road from the Allegheny and Perrysville Plank road to the village of Rochester, in Beaver county, to authorize the sale of a school house and lot in Lawrence county, and to provide for the election of an assessor in New Castle.
Act 154 of 1851 · P.L. 204 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing the administrator of Samuel Lowther, deceased, to deliver a deed executed l)y said deceased in his lifetime to George W. Boyd, for the undivided one-fourth of a piece of ground in Harrishurg.
Act 155 of 1851 · P.L. 206 · March 18, 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing David Diehl, executor of John Throne, deceased, to purchase real estate.
Act 156 of 1851 · P.L. 207 · March 18, 1851 · 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.