by Keith Lewis-Jones
Plaque sited at Vulcan House, CF47 8LR
Matthew John (1807-1888) was the son of the Rev. David John, a Unitarian Minister.
In the 1830s Matthew became active in the Chartist Movement, and became one of the leaders in Merthyr alongside his father and Morgan Williams, the three leading marches of thousands of people.
Vulcan House, which had been set up as a foundry under Matthew, soon became the focal point for Chartist activities.
