A century and a half ago, specifically during the early part of the 18th century, adventurous settlers from Taal, Northern Mindoro and Southern Cavite were attracted to the vast plain near the shores of Balayan Bay because of its abundance in fish and other marine life. Salting and drying fish became their major occupation due to the great demand of salted and dried fish by people coming from th
e provinces of Cavite, Mindoro, Laguna and Batangas. People came in great numbers to join the settlers, and the village became populous. The place was first called "PUNTA", meaning direction, because of the influx of people who went to the village. In 1818, the village of PUNTA was converted into one of the barrios of the Municipality of Taal. The first priest who was assigned to the village then known as βPuntaβ was Fr. Upon the suggestion of the priest who succeeded him, the place was renamed San Geronimo in honor of this priest. CAPTAIN ROBERTO LEMERY, the Commanding Officer of San Geronimo outpost instructed the military and the church personnel to study the language of the native and cultivate harmony with them. When Captain Lemery died in 1856, the people of San Geronimo requested their priest to change the name of the barrio to LEMERY. In 1858, the barrio of San Geronimo became officially known LEMERY. In 1862, Lemery was separated from the Municipality of Taal and became the district municipality thru the efforts of CANDIDA CESARIO VALENZUELA, MANUEL CABRERA, POLICARPIO MARIΓO and DOMINGO AGONCILLO. Jose Cabrera became the First Gobernadorcillo of the newly created town. For Economic considerations, Lemery was again annexed to Taal in 1904. Finally by virtue of Executive Order 1549 of the Philippine Civil Commission, it became an independent Municipality in 1907.
