subs. phr. (old).—See quot.: GROSE (1785).
1754. POULTER, The Discoveries of John Poulter, 39. SKY FARMERS, are People that go about the Country with a false Pass, signed by the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Parish or Place that they lived in, and some Justice of the Peace, but the Names are all forged … and in this Manner they extort Money, under Pretence of sustaining Loss by Fire, or the Distemper amongst the horned Cattle.
