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 annul the marriage contract between William Mead and Eliza his wife, to the uniformed militia of Perry and Luzerne counties, to the Cumberland Valley railrontl, to the sale of the real estate of John Berge, deceased, to lunatics and habitual drunkards, and to the Susquehaima Canal Company.
Act 375 of 1851 · P.L. 713 · April 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To provide for the erection of a house for tlie employment and support of the poor in the county of Crawford.
Act 370 of 1851 · P.L. 715 · April 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Friendship Fire Engine Company of Philadelphia, relative to water lines in the river Delaware, to laying gas pipes by the city of Pliiladelphia in the incorporated districts north of Vine street, relative to the collection of poor taxes in the city and county of Philadelphia, and to authorize Benjamin Orne, trustee, to sell and convey certain real estate.
Act 377 of 1851 · P.L. 720 · April 28, 1851 · Scanned page
For the relief of Lawrence Taliaferro, late treasurer of Bedford county, and incorporating Mount Pleasant College.
Act 379 of 1851 · P.L. 728 · April 28, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the laying out of a State road from a point in a jjublic road leading from Fredericksburg to the Big Dam, to another point in a public road leading from Fredericksburg to Pin?grove, incorpoiaiing the Evangelical Church in Myerstown, Lebanon county, and authorizing John Fortney to sell certain real estate, and relative to the records of the Orjihans' Court of Lebanon county.
Act 380 of 1851 · P.L. 730 · March 29, 1851 · Scanned page
To proeure ihe distribution of the reports of the decisions of tlie Supreme Court of the United States.
Act 3 of 1851 · P.L. 735 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
Giving the assent of this Commonwealth to tlie purchase of ground in the city of Pittsburg by the United States for the erection of public buildings, and releasing the same from all taxes.
Act 11 of 1851 · P.L. 740 · April 12, 1851 · Scanned page
For the reliefof Sherman Bills, Indiana county, relating to the town of Minersville, in Scliuyikill county, incorporating the borough of Shelocta, in the county of Indiana.
Act of 1851 · P.L. 741 · April 15, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the death of General Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States.
Act 12 of 1851 · P.L. 741 · April 12, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Presbyterian Church and Congregation of PlaingroV'C, in IMeruer county.
Act 419 of 1851 · P.L. 743 · April 10, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize David Burger, of Blair county, to make sale of certain real estate.
Act 467 of 1851 · P.L. 745 · February 12, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the White Deer Bridge Company.
Act of 1851 · P.L. 746 · March 23, 1851 · Scanned page
To extend the charter of Honesdale Eauk.
Act of 1851 · P.L. 750 · April 5, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Delaware and Cobb's Gap Railroad Company. Sectiox 1.
Act of 1851 · P.L. 757 · April 7, 1851 · Scanned page
To aathorize Alexander 8. Brewster and Ann B. Guernsey, administrators of the estate of Joseph W. Guernsey, deceased, to sell ceriain real estate, and relntiog to the Book Mountain Coal Company.
Act 479 of 1851 · P.L. 760 · April 6, 1851 · Scanned page
Charles Zeijrler executor of William Snyder, deceased, authorized 13 sell certain real estate. Sale to be confirmed by Or- ]>hans' Court. Tor the sa'Te of tb© real estate of William SugJen, deeeasetf, Whstkeas, Williasa Sugden, la-te of the township of Brandywine (now East Brandy wise),^ in the county of Chester, deceased, by his last will and testament, proved October eighth,
Act of 1851 · P.L. 770 · February 19, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the sale of certain real estate in Lycoming county.
Act 482 of 1851 · P.L. 771 · February 19, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate Ponxsuianney, in Young township, Jefferson connty, into s borough.
Act 483 of 1851 · P.L. 772 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pottsville Gas
Act 484 of 1851 · P.L. 774 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the guardian of the minor children of John W. Thompson to sell certain real estate.
Act 485 of 1851 · P.L. 777 · March 4, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the borough of Media, in the county of Delaware, antl relative to Carbon county.
Act 486 of 1851 · P.L. 778 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To legitimate. George M'Bride, Rudolph Frederick Kelker, and Louisa F.
Act 487 of 1851 · P.L. 790 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pottsgrove Cemetery Company, and relative to convicts in the county of Potter.
Act 488 of 1851 · P.L. 791 · March 22, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate Cedar Hill Cemetery Company of the county of riiiladelphia.
Act 489 of 1851 · P.L. 793 · March 25, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Bedford Hall Association ot the borough and county of Bedford.
Act 490 of 1851 · P.L. 794 · March 25, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Fort Necessity Washington Monument Association.
Act 491 of 1851 · P.L. 796 · April 6, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Odd Fellows' Iiall Association of Spring Garden, in ths county of Philadelphia.
Act 492 of 1851 · P.L. 798 · April 6, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the Concmaugh river at the mill of James Clarke, in Indiana county, and to construct a turnpike road from the Pennsylvania railroad to the Huntingdon antl Blairsville turnpike road, to prevent the htinling of deer with dogs in the county of Clearfield, and relative to bridges on the Juniata river.
Act 493 of 1851 · P.L. 799 · April 11, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate Knoxville, in the county of Tioga, into a borough.
Act 494 of 1851 · P.L. 803 · April 19, 1851 · Scanned page
Erecting parts of Bedford county into a separate county, to be called " Fulton.
Act 495 of 1851 · P.L. 805 · April 19, 1851 · Scanned page
To erect Covington, in Tio2;a county, into a borough, and relative to the appointment of commissioners to examine the transactions and conduct of the Bank of Susquehanna county.
Act 496 of 1851 · P.L. 811 · April 26, 1851 · Scanned page
Relating to the school fund of the township of Lehman, Luzerno county, and for confirming the sale of a tract of land in said township, relative to the United States Insurance Annuity and Trust Company, and to the common schools in Greene county, and for oilier purposes.
Act 497 of 1851 · P.L. 816 · April 26, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorpnraie the First Baptist Cliurch of Lewisbnrg, Union county, Pennsylvania, relative to railroads and canals in Mifflin county, to a certain lot of ground in Germaniown township, Philadelphia county, and to road and bridge viewers in Cumberland county.
Act 498 of 1851 · P.L. 819 · April 26, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Odd Fellows' Hall Association of Moyamensing, in the county of Philadelphia.
Act 499 of 1851 · P.L. 822 · April 30, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate llie Crystal Spring Hall Association, and to empower Anna Victoria Keller, one of the heirs of Emanuel Keller, deceased, to sell and convey a certain lot of ground in the borough of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county.
Act 500 of 1851 · P.L. 823 · April 30, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the town of Summitville, in the county of Cambria, into a borough: to construe the first and third sections of the act to encourage manufacturing operations in this Commonwealth, and relative to the claim of Austin Thompson for damages.
Act 501 of 1851 · P.L. 825 · April 30, 1851 · Scanned page
To erect a part of Upper Sal'ord township, Montgomery county, into a separate school district, to be called ''The Old Goshenhoppen school district," to incorporate the Susquehanna and Union Bridge Company, relative to certain election districts in the counties of Mercer, Clearfield, and Washington, to certain school districts in the couniies of Columbia and Chester, and to the appointment of
Act 502 of 1851 · P.L. 827 · April 30, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorpoiate the Girard Avenue Schuylkill Bridge Company over the river Schuylkill, at the foot of said avenue.
Act 503 of 1851 · P.L. 830 · May 3, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of the borough of Lewistown and its vicinity, and relative to a certain enrolment tax.
Act 504 of 1851 · P.L. 835 · May 3, 1851 · Scanned page
Extending the charter of the York Bank.
Act 505 of 1851 · P.L. 839 · May 3, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize tlie corporate authorities of the borough of Wrightsville to subscribe to the Wrightsville and ^ew Holland Turnpike Road Company an amount of stock not to exceed forty shares, and to incorporate the Little Beaver Bri'''ge Company.
Act 506 of 1851 · P.L. 839 · May 3, 1851 · Scanned page
Erecting the village of Strattanville into a borough.
Act 507 of 1851 · P.L. 843 · May 6, 1851 · Scanned page
To re-charter the Lebanon Bank, in the county of Lebanon.
Act 508 of 1851 · P.L. 847 · May 7, 1851 · Scanned page
Extending the chaiter of the Wyoming Bank at Wilkesbarre in the county of Luzerna.
Act 509 of 1851 · P.L. 848 · May 8, 1851 · Scanned page
To extend tlie charter of the Exchange Bank of Pittsburg.
Act 510 of 1851 · P.L. 849 · May 9, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Franklin County Mutual Insurance Company,
Act 511 of 1851 · P.L. 849 · May 9, 1851 · Scanned page
To extend the charter of the Bank of Pittsburg,
Act 512 of 1851 · P.L. 852 · May 10, 1851 · Scanned page
incorporate the president and managers of the Clarion and Allegheny Tnm* pike Road Company, supplementary to the act regulating turnpike and plank road companies, and to annul the marriage contract between Jonathan Race and Jane bis wife, relative to the Fraokford and Bristol Turnpike Road Company, the irostees of Ephraim Clark, repealing the thirty-sixth section of act
Act 518 of 1851 · P.L. 852 · May 14, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the president and managers of the Clarion and Allegheny Turnpike R.iad Company, supplementary to the act regnlating turnpike and plank road c.'inpanies, and to annul the marriage contract between Jonathan Fiace and Jane his wife, relative to the Frankford and Bristol Turnpike Road Company, the trustees of Ephraim Clark, repealing the thirty-sixth section of act granting
Act 513 of 1851 · P.L. 853 · May 14, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the American Primitive Methodist Church of Bloomsburg, Columbia county, relative to the militia of Montour county, to the Danville and Pottsville Railroad Company, to holding elections in Spring Garden and Moyamensing, and authorizing John R. Vogdes, guardian, to sell certain real estate.
Act 514 of 1851 · P.L. 855 · May 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Stout's Ferry Bridge Company, in the county of Berks, relative to the Philadelphia Police district; to wharf lines on the river Delaware; to school directors in the district of Kensington, and to toll-houses in Philadelphia county.
Act 515 of 1851 · P.L. 858 · May 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Hempfiekl Railroad
Act 516 of 1851 · P.L. 862 · May 15, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Lafayette Railroad Company, and relative to Gray's Ferryroad in the county of Philadelphia, to reduce the shares of stock in the Bellefonte, Aaronsburg, and Youngmanstown Turnpike Company, relative to the Farmers' Hay and Straw Market Association in Philatlelphia, to an election district in Westmoreland county, to authorize the commissioners of Philadelphia county to
Act 381 of 1851 · P.L. 868 · April 3, 1851 · Scanned page
Relating to the sale and conveyance of and confirniation of the title to certain real estate, incorporating tlie Central Coal Company, and authorizing the opening of Marion avenue, in the county of Pliiladelphia.
Act 382 of 1851 · P.L. 872 · April 10, 1851 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Odd Fellows' Miilual Insurance Company.
Act 883 of 1851 · P.L. 879 · April 12, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Susquehanna, at the town of Danville.
Act 1 of 1851 · January 15, 1851 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act entitled "An Act to erect the town of Dillsburg, in York county, and the village of McVeytovvn, in Mifflin county, into borough?, and the supplements to the acts erecting York and Harrisburg into boroughs.
Act 2 of 1851 · January 23, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the Philadelphia College of Medicine to borrow money.
Act 3 of 1851 · January 23, 1851 · Scanned page
To tbe aeC eatided ** An Aet to iaoorpormte lb* Williamfport Bridge Companfy in tb« eountf of Lycomuif » and for other porpoMS," pattod the third day of Jana, ona thoaaand eight hundred and fortj. SECnoBr 1.
Act 4 of 1851 · February 10, 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing Frederick Smith to collect the balance of school tax in Hopewell township, York county, in one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
Act 5 of 1851 · January 23, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the Sheriff of Allegheny county to sell certain real estate, and to secure money on bond and mortgage.
Act 6 of 1851 · January 23, 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate ihe Columbus and State Line Plank Road Company.
Act 7 of 1851 · January 28, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the justices of the peace elected for Marion township, in Greene county, to hold their oihces within the borough of Waynesburg, in said county.
Act 8 of 1851 · January 28, 1851 · Scanned page
To amend an act entitled "An Act to incorporate the president and managers of the Bald Eagle I^lank Road Company, and providing for the appointment of trustees of the Union Meeting House, in Centre county.
Act 9 of 1851 · 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing Jacob Huber, committee of Samuel Huber, Jr., of Lancaster county, a lunatic, to sell certain real estate.
Act 10 of 1851 · January 28, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the trustees under the will of John Baptist Dumoutet, deceased, to sell and dispose of certain real estate.
Act 11 of 1851 · January 28, 1851 · Scanned page
To authorize the Second Associate Presbyterian Congregation of Philadelphia, to sell and convey certain real estate.
Act 12 of 1851 · January 28, 1851 · Scanned page
To enable the executors of Samuel M'Lain, late of Tod township, Huntingdon county, to sell and convey a part of the real estate of said deceased.
Act 13 of 1851 · January 19, 1851 · Scanned page
To «atboriz« the GoirerDor to inoorporate a company to ereet a bridge over the river Schoylkill near the site of the late Flat Rock Bridge, in the conntiet of Montgomery and Philadelphia, relative to an election district in Lycoming eoimty, to legitimatize Charles Leech, jr., and extending the provisions of an act to eneoorage manufacturing operations to articles maoufactared of salt.
Act 295 of 1851 · April 12, 1851 · Scanned page
To natborize the Governor to inoorporate a company to ereet a bridge over the river Schuylkill near the site of the late Flat Rock Bridge, in the conaties of Montgomery and Philadelphia, relatiye to an election dittriot in Lycoming county, to legitimatize Charles Leech, jr., and extending the profiaiont of an act to encourage manufacturing operations to articles manafactnred of salt.
Act 295 of 1851 · April 12, 1851 · Scanned page
Recalating tbd eleetiooB in the citr nod incorporated distriets of Che eonatf d Philadelphia, to incorporate the Jeffersoo Railroad Companj, relative to ccf tain election dietricts in Montour county, to the continuance fees of protboa&> tariet in Bradford and Susquehanna counties, to road damages in Mojrameasing, te the Germantown Water Company, to tbe Philadelphia police district, to the
Act 878 of 1851 · 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to granting a portion of the public lands to soldiers and sailors who served in the war of 1812, and soldiers of the Indian wnrs.
Resolution 1 of 1851 · P.L. 733 · February 3, 1851 · Scanned page
RESOLUTIONS Reiative to the publio piers at Chester. WiiSREASy The Legislature of this Commonwealth cauaed to he erected in the harbor of Chester, on the Delaware river, at an expense of nearly nineteen thousand dollars, two publio piers, extending into said river for the accommodation of the shipping thereon; And whereatf The said Legislature by the act of April eleventh, one thousand
Resolution 2 of 1851 · P.L. 733 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the establishment of a line of mail steamers between San Francisco and China, and Philadelphia, Norfolk, and Europe.
Resolution 4 of 1851 · P.L. 735 · February 15, 1851 · Scanned page
For the relief of Thomas C. Hambly,
Resolution 5 of 1851 · P.L. 736 · February 20, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the claims of John Rhey.
Resolution 6 of 1851 · P.L. 737 · February 20, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the granting of additional bounty lands to certain officers and soldiers of the war of eighteen hundred and twelve.
Resolution 7 of 1851 · P.L. 737 · February 25, 1851 · Scanned page
KE SOLUTION Of thanks to the Honorable Daniel Webster for his vindication of the principles of the Government of the United States in his letter to Chevalier Hnlseman.
Resolution 8 of 1851 · P.L. 738 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Authorizing the State Treasurer to defray certain expenses incurred in the investigation of the atfairs of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company.
Resolution 9 of 1851 · P.L. 739 · March 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to the pay and mileage of the Revenue Commissioners.
Resolution 10 of 1851 · P.L. 739 · March 20, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to a new county to be called " Forrest.
Resolution 9 of 1851 · P.L. 744 · April 11, 1851 · Scanned page
Relative to an amendment of the Constitution.
Resolution of 1851 · P.L. 758 · February 12, 1851 · Scanned page
Relating to elections in the townships of North Towanda and Litchfield, Bradford county.
Act 4 of 1852 · P.L. 8 · January 13, 1852 · Scanned page
Authorizing the State Treasurer to negotiate a temporary loan of three hundred thousand dollars, to meet the semi-annual interest due on the public debt of the Commonwealth on the first of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
Act 5 of 1852 · P.L. 9 · January 21, 1852 · Scanned page
To extend the powers of the National Safety Insurance and Trust Company.
Act 6 of 1852 · P.L. 9 · January 21, 1852 · Scanned page
To the "Act incorporating the Wellersburg and West Newton Plank Road Company.
Act 7 of 1852 · P.L. 10 · January 22, 1852 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Codnty Coramisaioners of Schuyllciil county to borrow money.
Act 8 of 1852 · P.L. 11 · January 24, 1852 · Scanned page
Relative to the Wellsboro' and Tioga Plank Road Company, and relative to the Arbon Coal Company.
Act 9 of 1852 · P.L. 11 · January 24, 1852 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act entitled "An Act to incorporate the Equitable Life Insurance Company," passed the twenty-eighth day of March, A. D., one thousand ei^t hundred and fort
Act 10 of 1852 · P.L. 12 · January 27, 1852 · Scanned page
To authorize the commissioners of the county of Clarion to settle the account of Richard Wilson, deceased, for the erection of a bridge over the river Clarion, near the mouth of Little Toby Creek, in the county of Clarion, and for other ^ purposes.
Act 11 of 1852 · P.L. 13 · January 27, 1852 · Scanned page
Confirming a certain power of attorney to Georgo Morris Kneviit.
Act 12 of 1852 · P.L. 14 · January 27, 1852 · Scanned page
Relative to certain real estate in Locust street, Philadelphia, formerly the property of Job Bacon.
Act 13 of 1852 · P.L. 15 · January 29, 1852 · Scanned page
To revive and extend the act entitled «'An Act to sraduate lands on which money is due and unpaid to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," passed the tenth of April, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.
Act 14 of 1852 · P.L. 16 · January 29, 1852 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Saint Joseph's College, in the city of Philadelphia.
Act 15 of 1852 · P.L. 16 · January 29, 1852 · Scanned page
To "An Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Allegheny and Butler Plank Road Company," approved the fifth day of April, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
Act 17 of 1852 · P.L. 18 · January 29, 1852 · Scanned page
Granting certain powers to a surviving trustee and to authorize the Presbytery of Philadelphia to fill vacancies in the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Institute.
Act 19 of 1852 · P.L. 19 · January 29, 1852 · Scanned page
To vacate a portion of Market street, in the borough of Kitlannirg, in the county of Armstrong; and also to vacate a portion of the Armstrong and Clearfield turnpike road.
Act 20 of 1852 · P.L. 20 · January 29, 1852 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate tlie subscribers to the articles of association for the p urpose of establishing a House of Refuge," passedMarch iwenty-tbird, eighteen hundred and twenty-six.
Act 21 of 1852 · P.L. 21 · January 29, 1852 · Scanned page
For the relief of Henry R.
Act 22 of 1852 · P.L. 22 · February 3, 1852 · Scanned page
To tbe act entitled "An Act to erect the town of Harrisburg, in the county of Dauphin, into a borough," passed the first day of February, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and eight.
Act 23 of 1852 · P.L. 23 · February 3, 1852 · 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.