We find him described by his employers as "flying from mine to mine," putting the engines to rights.

If anything went wrong, he was immediately sent for.

He was active, quick-sighted, shrewd, sober, and thoroughly trustworthy.

Down to the year 1780, his wages were only a pound a week; but Boulton made him a present of ten guineas, to which the owners of the United Mines added another ten, in acknowledgment of the admirable manner in which he bad erected their new engine, the chairman of the company declaring that he was "the most obliging and industrious workman he had ever known." That he secured the admiration of the Cornish engineers may be obvious from the fact of Mr.Boaze having invited him to join in an engineering partnership; but Murdock remained loyal to the Birmingham firm, and in due time he had his reward.
He continued to be the "right hand man" of the concern in Cornwall.
Boulton wrote to Watt, towards the end of 1782: "Murdock hath been indefatigable ever since he began.

He has scarcely been in bed or taken necessary food.