The Joseph Osgood house and place were the next to the south of the last described. It was an old-fashioned, two-story, square-roofed house, minus paint, as early as the writer can remember, built by Joseph Osgood about 1800, and occupied by him and family until he was old and past his labor, when he was cared for by his nephew, the late John Stevens, esq.
Mr. Osgood was born at Andover, Mass., Oct. 6, 1760; married Hannah Bailey, March 31, 1785. She was born Dec. 19, 1766; died July 10, 1829. He died March 15, 1854, in his ninety-fourth year. He came to Blue Hill shortly after his marriage, and there resided up to the time of his death.
He was a brick-maker and mason by trade. He used to say that he could build a brick chimney beginning at the top just as well as beginning at the base, if he could only get the first brick to stay in its place. The chimney in the tide mill, owned by the writer’s father, fell down, leaving the top sticking in the roof. Mr. Osgood was sent for to rebuild it, and came, when the writer and his brothers said to him: “Now, Mr. Osgood, you told us in the past that if you could make the first bricks stick you could build a chimney at the top and work downwards. Here is a chance for you to try it.”
“Ah, boys!” said he, “the bricks must all be new to do that, for you can’t make a new brick stick to an old one.” And in that way he cleared himself of an awkward dilemma in the eyes of the boys. He was a kindly man, with a cheerful story for the young people, who were very fond of him.