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Mary J. Floyd was the first Librarian of the Eben Dale Sutton Library of the Peabody Institute from 1870 to 1882.
- from The Peabody Story by John Well, page 322.

Death of Mary J. FLoyd, Salem Evening News, April 2, 1895
The Noble Woman Passed Away Suddenly at her Home in Peabody Yesterday - Sketch of a Life of Self Sacrifice and Devotion to the Temperance Cause.

The sudden death of Miss Mary J. Floyd at her home, 54 Lowell Street, at 11:15 Tuesday morning, was a shock to the whole community for her illness was not generally known.

She had suffered at times for two years past from a cancer, and her friends say that she anticipated her death and was resigned to her fate.

She believed in the faith-cure treatment of diseases, and declined to submit to a surgical operation for the removal of the cancer when it was first discovered, although she consented to do so some time afterward when it was too late.

She had been confined to the house for two days past, but arose and dressed as usual yesterday morning. During the forenoon she was seized with a shortness of breath, which she though would soon pass off, but a nurse was called in and saw at once that her pulse and heart were both very weak.

Physicians were sent for, but none arrived till after her death, which took place in a short time, she retained consciousness till the end. The cause of death was blood poisoning from internal discharge of the cancer.

Her Life Work

Mary Jaquith, daughter of Isaac Floyd, was born in the house in which she died, a little over 57 years of ago, January 27, 1838, and her whole life was a continual growth of that beautiful Christian spirit which developed in her when she joined the church a child of 16 years. Her mission in life was to help others and she was always going about seeking to do good.

Her first work in a public capacity was as librarian at the Sutton Reference Library, being appointed to that position when it was opened, June 1869, and retaining the place for 12 years, when she resigned to accept the newly-created office of church missionary for the South Church, a position for which she was peculiarly fitted. She retained that position at the time of death and was also collector in the same church.

She early interested herself in the temperance clause, and was active in a temperance society connected with the South Church as far back as the war times, but on Dec. 18, 1875, she was the means of organizing the Women's Christian Temperance union of which she was the president, with the exception of four years, ever since. Shortly after its formation, the Reynolds temperance movement swept over town, and Miss Floyd was one of the chief promoters of that successful crusade. She was president of the band of King's Daughters and for many years had been secretary of the Essex County Prohibition club, her name being well known throughout the county. For years she conducted the gospel temperance meetings in Franklin hall on Sunday evenings and devoted the best part of her time to the furtherance of the cause for which she labored, with success, and many an unfortunate can recall the kind and encouraging words she has spoken.

Her connection with the South Church was life-long, although for a time she withdrew from its membership to assist the struggling church in the southern part of the town, but late returned to the first church. It was here that she was best known and loved, and the services which she rendered it as primary Sunday school teacher, and in other ways, were invaluable. Always enjoying the best of health it is said the she never missed attending church and Sunday school but twice, since she was old enough to go, and one of those times was last Sunday. She was deeply religious and in 1882 became a believer in holiness, which she endeavored to live up to ever since. Enthusiastic in everything she undertook, she shed joy and sunshine around her, and exemplified by her noble life and exalted Christian character, the teachings she professed. No person in Peabody was more thoroughly respected for honesty of purpose than Miss Floyd, and no one has more devotedly and unselfishly labored for the welfare of others by "going about doing good". Her death will be mourned wherever she was known."

Peabody Press, October 1, 1879
The Van Guard - Below we give the names of the women who have signified their intention of voting, next Spring, under the late law extending the suffrage in school matters to women. - When female suffrage is the accomplished fact it will be in a few years, their names will be read with interest and many will then wish that their name was among them: