Assuming we have found the correct census records for the Anderson / Lorimer family (I think we have), then the father James Anderson was a weaver and not a shoemaker. Thomas’ statement on his marriage about his father being a shoemaker may have been an attempt to inflate his status. Or it seems as if his father died when he was very young, and so he may not have known his occupation.
It would be worth looking at the marriage record of James Anderson to Ann Badenoch in 1872, to see what information he gives about his father.
With all that in mind there is this 1841 census to consider as a maybe.
Census: 1841
County: Aberdeenshire (ABD)
District: Old Machar
Civil Parish: Bon Accord. College Street
Piece: 168; Enumeration District: 23 Page: 26
ANDERSON James M 25 Linen Weaver Aberdeenshire
ANDERSON (Mrs) F 20 Out of County
ANDERSON James M 4m Aberdeenshire
Names, Birth county info, abode in Old Machar, and ages rounded down make it worth considering.
The 4 month old James in this census may have died as an infant, and another James born in 1843 took his place.
There are various burial records in Aberdeen for James Andersons. Looking at the index it is not really possible to know much. You may have to spend some credits to see if any leads comes up.
Unfortunately it doesn’t look as if baptism records for the family survive / exist.
