A convict sentenced in Britain to transportation, but required first to serve eighteen months in Pentonville Prison, London (or another reformatory prison) receiving moral and religious instruction and learning a trade, before being sent to Australia on a conditional pardon.
the last batch of Pentonvilles included two lawyers and a lieutenant in the army
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Upon arrival in Australia, most Pentonvilles continued their former occupations of picking pockets, petty burglary, and gambling.
At Port Philip, people go 250 miles to hire a Pentonville, and Western Australia asks for an additional number.
He was one of the Pentonvilles who were sent to the colonies.
The first group came from Pentonville Prison, and all those following were dubbed Pentons, Pentonvilles, or Pentonvillains.
The last batch of Pentonvilles included two lawyers, a clergyman, and a lieutenant in the army.
He is now living on his estate in the old country—lawyers, doctors, and Pentonvilles, labourers, mechanics, and indeed all sorts of men are to be seen there.
In 1849, the ship Randolph arrived in Port Phillip Bay carrying Pentonvilles.
I may also add that I have had many other old prisoners in my service, and have in general found them very good servants—the Pentonvilles being the worst without exception.