Apart from William Crosse's own home (now called Burpham Court House), the only other building depicted on his estate map of 1686 which still stands today is Watts Cottage but about 70 yards to the east of it the map shows another, larger, house and some other buildings which were demolished early in the present century, at which time the property was called Watts Farm.(sketch based on SHC ref G2/1/1)

Watts Cottage is adjudged to have been built in the latter half of the 16th century, and a photograph of Watts Farm published in 1908 indicates that it was probably contemporary with the cottage. We cannot estimate the size of the farm in 1686 because it was incorporated in the total estate of William Cross.

No further information has come to light about the farm until both buildings appear on the 1838/41 Tithe map and Tithe Apportionment. Each is described as a "cottage" forming part of Hurst Farm, owned by Richard Sparks and farmed by George Burt. The name Watts Farm appears for the first time in the census of 1851 when, despite its name, it was in fact two "tenements", one occupied by Isaac Dolley and his wife Sarah, and the other by Levi Wye and his wife Sarah. The residents of Watts Cottage must have been among several households listed under the general heading of Stringers Common.

In 1877 the farm, including both buildings, was put up for sale in the auction of the late Sir William Bovill's properties. The farm then comprised just over 55 acres, extending eastwards from Jacobs Well Road to the River Wey.

The farm house was described as being "Brick, Half-timbered, now in two tenements, containing 4 Bed Rooms, an Attic, 2 Sitting Rooms, 2 Kitchens, 2 Pantries, Wood House, etc, and good Garden." The Homestead had "recently been burnt down, with the exception of a Wagon Lodge,Brick,Timber and Tile, and Piggery." Watts Cottage was described as "A Cottage Dwelling, Brick, Timber and Tile, containing 2 Bed Rooms, Kitchen, Pantry, Wood House and Pigsty,Timber and Tile, and Garden."

Like the other farms this one was not sold at this auction and was put on the market again in July 1898. At that time it still formed part of Hurst Farm, the tenant of which was Robert Ferguson.

At this point our information runs out and any remains of Watts Farm seem to have disappeared, leaving Watts Cottage to remind us of the agricultural past.