But he had an ambition to be something more than a country mason.

He had heard a great deal about the inventions of James Watt; and he determined to try whether he could not get "a job" at the famous manufactory at Soho.

He accordingly left his native place in the year 1777, in the twenty-third year of his age; and migrated southward.

He left plenty of Murdocks behind him.

There was a famous staff in the family, originally owned by William Murdock's grandfather, which bore the following inscription: "This staff I leave in pedigree to the oldest Murdock after me, in the parish of Auchenleck, 1745." This staff was lately held by Jean Murdock, daughter of the late William Murdock, joiner, cousin of the subject of this biography.
When William arrived at Soho in 1777 he called at the works to ask for employment.