In 1791, he had purchased much of the territory along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, which the state had released for public sale after forced cession of the land by the Iroquois nations following United States independence in the American Revolution.

The area along the St. Lawrence River had been occupied by Iroquoian peoples, as noted by early French explorers.

They are thought to have been defeated by members of the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy who dominated the area of present-day New York state west of Albany.

They preserved this area as hunting ground and conducted fur trading with French colonists along the river.

Macomb and his partners believed that upstate New York was strategic for prosperous development, as they were depending on the growing trade with Canada across the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.

While smuggling across the lakes and rivers occurred, the act suppressed trade with Canada, as did the War of 1812 and restrictions afterward.

The former Lisbon Railroad Depot, now operated as the town museum, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

The northern town line is marked by the St. Lawrence River, which is the international border with Canada, the Province of Ontario.

NY-37 follows the south bank of St. Lawrence River in a northeasterly direction, and NY-68 runs southeasterly to Canton.