Hi again, both Annies,
Spent a very enjoyable 3 hours in Over yesterday with the lady who has co-authored the book about the BICHENO's. There's nothing quite like the detail you get when you listen to an elderly person's long-remembered stories of people and places, in many cases long gone. The book is incredibly well-reseached and would be a goldmine for anyone with connections to the family. Plus there is a very good general description of Over Parish. Also the explanation that because of the 1753 Hardwicke Marriage Act, the marriage such as the one that took place at Trinity College, Cambridge between John JOHNSON's parents William (of Longstanton) and Elizabeth (of Over)in 1749, could no longer happen, as where you were living at the time of your marriage affected where you could now marry.
Another piece of information was that John JOHNSON's (b. 1755) nephew James JOHNSON gave part of the land he farmed in Over so that it could become a burial ground in 1867 - I've now sent away for his will to see whether there is indeed mention of this there.
Plus she showed details of The Glovers House, and who had lived there and when, including of course William BICHENO (1723-1806), who is, I suppose, the person around whom this thread was started.
I felt very privileged yesterday afternoon, this kind of meeting doesn't happen very often in one's pursuit of family history...
Regards, keith
N.B The book has been published since 2003, by the way...