Richard Watts (1529–1579) was a successful businessman and MP for Rochester, South East England, in the 1570s.

He supplied rations for the English Navy as deputy victualler and supervised the construction of Upnor Castle.

[1] Famed locally for his philanthropy, he died on 10 September 1579, leaving money in his will to establish the Richard Watts Charity and Six Poor Travellers House in Rochester High Street.

He may have spent his youth in Rochester gaining employment with Bishop (later Saint) John Fisher.

[4][a] Following the arrest and execution of Fisher, Watts returned to Rochester in a state of poverty.

Subsequently, Queen Elizabeth I appointed him as paymaster and surveyor of works when building of Upnor Castle started in 1560.

Various disbursements are made to those taking part, including to the sextons for digging the grave and ringing his knell "with all the bells".

Even the congregation was remembered for unto every "poore Body" attending the burial he left "One penney in bread and One penny in money".

[d] His grave, with coat of arms and simple inscription, is close to the south side of the pulpitum steps, just where he wanted it.

[9] The next part of the will leaves money and income to his wife and details what should happen if she remarried, which she in due course did.

He laid upon his heirs the duty to supervise the Mayor and appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Rochester as having the final say in any disposals.

[10] City accounts for 1579 show that this was not without cost: a gallon of wine to the Bishop's chancellor for the proving (2s), a trip to London (13s 4d), a copy of the will (5s) and others "aboute the probate" (20s 10d).

Some of the lands he had bequeathed had reverted (either on death or previously) to former owners, including a set of tenements which the Bishop took back.

[11] Marian, his widow (a sister of the diplomat John Somers), did remarry and according to the will should have lost the house.

[1] In 1593, a document was drawn up between the four parties interested in the will: Thomas & Marian, Mayor and citizens, Dean and Chapter, and the Bridge Wardens.

The bulk of the document establishes the form and government of the charity which now bears Richard Watts' name.

Richard Watts Charities, as of 2013, provides 66 self-contained flats in Rochester which includes almshouses in Maidstone Road built in 1857.

In 1935, they passed into the hands of the Corporation of Rochester though the annual grant towards costs continued for a further 20 years.

[14] The charity was also to pay £1,000 (later raised to £1,500) per annum to the hospital and gained the right to nominate as patients up to 20 people at any one time.

Some money was available to help travellers in need of financial assistance and some for "amenities or samaritan funds" at hospitals within the city.

She also had to visit all inmates of the almshouses once a week, ensure adequate fire precautions and prepare the boardroom for meetings.

Thomas Aveling complained in January 1871 about "the reported inefficiency of the Nurses ... more than twelve months since", which is interesting because as mayor 1869–70 he had a level of supervision of the charity.

The county council had the task of organising a free home nursing service for all persons who needed it.

Local organisations could participate, they would need to fund 25% of the cost, the county providing the remaining 75%.

Finally in 1935, the baths were handed over to Rochester Corporation, though the annual grant remained for a further 15 years.