The law also prohibited any ministry being attended by the inhabitants, in any plantation distinct and separate from that which was established in the place, except by the approbation of the general court and the neighboring churches.

" One object of these laws was doubtless to prevent Baptists, Episcopalians and others from gaining a foothold.''^-

As early as 1660, says the historian Trumbull, Rye paid taxes for the support of religion, although no church was formed nor pastors ordained.

Greenwich and Rye, continues the same authority, were but just come under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, and not in circumstances for the support of ministers ; they had occasional preaching only for a considerable time.''

At a town meeting held in Rye, November, 1670, the town made choice of Joseph Horton, Thomas Brown, and John Brondig, who are to do their endeavor to procure a minister.

It was also agreed for to allow two pence in the pound for the

» Lambert's Hist. N. Haven, p. 183. b TrumbuU'd Hist. Conn. p. 300.

52 ■ ^.^.'^ HISTORY OF THE . ^ '

maintenan>ce of a minister amongst us, that is to say an orthodox ininister.

From the following document it appears that the town had not succeeded in procuring a minister, for May the 11th, 1671, at a court of assembly held at Hartford, Capt. Nathan Gold, Thomas Fitch, Mr. Holly, Lt. Richard Olmstead, and Mr. John Burr, they, or any three of them, are desired to repair to the said Rye, as soon as may be, and to endeavor a comfortable composure and issue of such differences as are among the people there, and to use their endeavors in the procuring of an able and orthodox minister to settle in that place, and if the people of Rye shall not concur with their endeavors in procuring a minister and comfortably setthng of him in the plantation of Rye, then the court doth empower the aforesaid committe to agree with a suitable man for that work in that place, and to agree with him for mayntenance to the value of £40 per annum, which the treasurer, by warrant to the constable of said Rye, shall order for the gathering and payment thereof with the county rate.^