Stonehaven is a little coastal fishing town about 15 miles south of Aberdeen. A place I have visited many times when I was much younger as my father was involved with the sailing club there.
Years later I came across the name D. Murray and was surprised to see the a small town had a gunmaker. As noted by Boothroyd, the weapons made by Murray were not only excellent but demonstrated that he was a gunmaker in his own right. The business moved inland to the town of Brechin where it remained until the death of the proprietor, a descendent of David, Mr. Fitzroy Murray.
Whilst researching the business of Charles Playfair of Aberdeen, I uncovered that David Murray had actually started his trade with Playfair and, at some point, left the business and set up in his own right in Stonehaven. However, Playfair continued to send work to Murray as an outworker.
When Murray passed away, Charles Playfair attended his funeral. When asked to give a few words, he stated that David was "the best stocker he ever had and whenever he needed the best job it went to David". Now, Playfair was a man of few compliments to those who worked for him and even his customers. He had upset a few people in Aberdeen over the years but was still a very wealthy and powerful gentleman in the city. So for Playfair to offer these words was the ultimate compliment of Murray.
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