Reverend Jacob Emery served the church from 1768 to 1775 which was a difficult period for the church. The public mood was absorbed in the state of the country at that time, and his ministry helped prepare the men of the town for the impending conflict. Poor in health, Emery resigned his ministry in 1775. That same year he was chosen as a delegate from the town to the State convention at Exeter. The purpose of the convention was to consider the state of the country. It was not unusual that a minister be sent as a delegate – these were trying times, and it was felt that the men were needed who could seek wisdom from God. It was from this convention that the first expression of the sentiment for a country separated from the British rulers was expressed. Emery fell ill returning from one of these sessions and died soon after at the age of 39.
The following article appeared in the Boston Record on August 24, 1959 in a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not column:
Rev. Jacob Emery, Pembroke, NH, summoned to appear as a representative in the State Legislature within 12 hours, found that he had no pantaloons worthy of the occasion. His wife caught a sheep, sheared it, carded the wool, spun and wove it, and produced a pair of trousers for Emery to wear – all in a single night.