"Twelve feet is a width sufficient for a dwelling that is deemed to be a cottage; if it be wider, it approaches too near to what I would call a house for a superior tradesman." (A. Crocker, Communications to the Board of Agriculture, 1796). 

"No cottage ought to be erected which does not contain a warm, comfortable, plain room, with an oven to bake the bread of its occupier; a small closet for the beer and provisions, two wholesome lodging rooms, one whereof should be for the man and his wife, and the other for his children." O. Gwilt, An Encyclopaedia of Architecture, 1876).