[1] Mary J. Scarlett was born in Robeson Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, on October 23, 1822.

[1] When the agitation against slavery loomed up in 1830, the Scarlett family was the only one in the neighborhood that took an active part in the abolitionist movement, and their house began hosting anti-slavery lectures.

[3] Dixon and her sister Catharine kept a "free store" in Pennsgrove, Chester County, Pennsylvania but the Catherine's marriage ended this work.

In the autumn of 1859, she was appointed demonstrator of anatomy in the Woman's Medical College and returned to Philadelphia to take the position.

Larger buildings were purchased for a woman's hospital, in which rooms could be utilized temporarily for college purposes.

[2] On May 8, 1873, she married G. Washington Dixon, still retaining her professorship and engaged in active practice, along with her duties as professor of anatomy.

[2] In 1881-82, DIxon served as Vice-President and Corresponding Secretary for the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania Alumnae Association.

[2] She removed to the home of her nephew, Samuel (or Levi) Lewis, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, after her husband's death, which preceded hers by three years.