Swain’s Lane, Highgate
The original north western wooded area of Highgate Cemetery was opened in 1839, as part of a plan to provide seven large cemeteries around the outside of central London, now known as the ‘Magnificent Seven’.
In 1854 a further 19 acres to the south east the other side of Swain’s Lane were bought to form the eastern extension which opened in 1860. Together both sides of the cemetery form the resting places of many famous people. Today there are approximately 170,000 people buried in around 53,000 graves.
In addition, the cemetery contains 318 Commonwealth War Graves; 259 from the First World War and 59 from the Second.
Those known to have been buried here:
Maria Topham, burial date: 30 March 1860, age: 72
Ovid Topham, burial date : 12 May 1860 (died 1848 moved from St John Upper Holloway, about a mile away)
Minnie Reffell, burial date: 20 November 1888, age: 23
Mary Ann Reffell, burial date: 4 July 1894, age: 22
Henry Reffell, burial date: 31 January 1901, age: 63
Sarah Reffell, burial date: 24 April 1924, age: 83
Alice Reffell, burial date: 20 March 1931, age: 63