Until 1818, the Congregational Church was the established church of the state of Connecticut. As part of the governance of the church, the local community was expected to “settle a minister.” This meant finding a minister, paying their salary, and more.
Sometimes, it meant granting or leasing them land. Fowler’s History of Durham, Connecticut recounts how, in 1708, the minister was given both a home and property for serving the community. Later ministers were only granted the use of the minister’s lot. In other towns, the minister’s property was entirely leased, although the home built on it might have been handed down to the family’s heirs (and later, possibly sold).
Minister’s grants and leases are often not recorded in the land records but will instead appear in governmental records. Start with the town records, then check the public records of the colony or state.
Connecticut Roots by Charter Oak Genealogy 