On Duncan's death in 1787, John Murray (being the eldest surviving son of the next brother) became the family's representative and chief of the clan.
[5] Murray became a cadet in the East India Company's army in 1770 and in 1771 he was commissioned as an Ensign[6] in the 2nd Bengal European Regiment and appointed Deputy Judge Advocate to the 2nd Brigade.
[7][8] In 1776, he was promoted to Lieutenant and was appointed military secretary to the Board of Ordnance in Calcutta, serving until 1780.
[9] Blackwood's Magazine noted "how zealously his latter days have been devoted to promoting the best interests and maintaining the ancient character of his native country, for enthusiastic patriotism and unaffected loyalty".
[9] His only son Evan John (1785–1841) succeeded him in the baronetcy and also enjoyed a successful military career.