Editing Panama, New York (section)

== History ==
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The village of Panama was incorporated in 1861.

Among many early settlers was George Hawkins, who purchased Lot 50 in 1825. He was born in 1802 in [[Oneida County, New York]]. About 1827 he married Rhoda Powers (born 1806). Together they cleared land to make a living. George died in 1883 and Rhoda in 1900. Rhoda's father was Simeon Powers, who established a [[Baptist church]] in the area. George's parents are unknown. Both are buried in Panama Union cemetery under one headstone.

The U.S. Post Office at Panama was established in 1826. That was the first, officially recorded, use of the name "Panama". The traditional story is that Panama got its name from someone who had been across the [[Isthmus of Panama]], and said local rock formations reminded him of Panama's rocks. It is possible that this person was Moses Cushman Marsh, who operated a trading company in Panama, and was Panama's first postmaster. He had previously had a business in Cuba, and he may have been across the Isthmus of Panama. His daughter was the educator and writer, [[Mary Louise Nash]] (1826-1896).