have an update -at last...
John Phimister b. 5 Sep 1770 to Robert Pheemister/ Phimister & Margret Dunbar in Birnie (they were married 26 Dec 1766)
he has sister Janet b.24 Oct 1767, and 2 brothers Robert b. 24 Jan 1772 and Alexander b. 7 June 1774
John's father Robert had a brother William Fimister (note the vicar differentiated between the two brothers by changing the spelling of their surnames).
William married Helen Robb and had issue
John is Phimister
William is Fimister and their father and grandfather were Pheemister.
all within 2 years of records... hence difficulty finding them.
But Robert Pheemister's father also Robert Pheemister died in 1770, and left a will of sorts which was noted 2 years later 1772.
It mentions him leaving his possessions to his 2nd wife Isabel McKenzie.
Also mentions that Robert Pheemister Jr is at Newlands of Shoggle, Birnie which is where his son John was also, with Janet Torey till he died.
Robert Pheemister senior and son William Pheemister were in partnership at Bardonside Farm Birnie. with William owning 1 fourth share.
No mention of Robert Pheemister seniors 1st wife and presumably mother of Robert Jr & William.
But at least we've moved back 2 more generations.
BUT as they are the only Phimisters in Birnie Parish, and the Will links all of them together, The odds are pretty high they are indeed the right ones.
This would also explain the names John & Janet gave their children
Margaret, Jean, Robert, Janet,Ann, John, Joseph,Alexander, Isobel, Elizabeth & Mary .
-Margaret married John Baron in Birnie 21Dec1825 and Mary married John Scott 31 Dec 1843.
I can't see me getting any further back on the Phimisters but you never know...