[6] During the Rebellions of 1837–1838, Murray volunteered for service and served in Lieutenant Andrew Drew's naval brigade, which destroyed the US steamer Caroline.

[6][1] After spending a period farming, Murray and his family returned to England in 1841, and he applied unsuccessfully for re-appointment to the Royal Navy.

[8] On 31 May 1851, Murray conducted fieldwork in Enniskillen Township following Thomas Sterry Hunt's analysis of a 100-pound sample of bitumen taken from the region.

[9] In his report, Murray confirmed that the region contained various bituminous deposits, noted the presence of oil seeps, and declared the material suitable for the production of lamp fuel, paints, varnishes, and asphalt.

[1][9][10] Although Murray was cautious in calculating the economic benefits of the gum beds, his work attracted the attention of Charles and Henry Tripp, who acquired a lot in Enniskillen in 1852 and established the world's first incorporated oil company in 1854.

Murray produced the first geological map of Newfoundland, and his reports of rich resources in the island's interior were an important factor in the decision to build the trans-island railway in 1881.