Daily AncestorMatross
A matross was an artillery soldier who helped the gunners load, fire and sponge the cannon; in the U.S. Army he ranked as a private of artillery.
A matross ranked next below a gunner and assisted the gunners in loading, firing and sponging the guns. He carried a musket and marched with the store wagons as a guard. In the U.S. Army the matross ranked as a private of artillery.
The word is now historical and easy to misread as a surname or a civilian trade on an old roll. When you see it, look for the artillery company or regiment in the same entry.
As seen in a recordRevolutionary War artillery pay roll
Ichabod Pratt, Matross, Capt. Stoddart's Co. of Artillery, enlisted 1777 for 3 yrs.
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Daily Ancestor. "Matross." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/military/matross. Last checked 2026-10-12.