William Bridle was born in Somerset, England in 1797 and arrived in Australia as a convict on board the "Larkins" on 22 November 1817. In 1823 he married Martha Mills (a daughter of Edward Mills from the convict ship "Scarborough" of the First Fleet).

About 1840 William and Martha moved to Island Lake Maneroo (now Monaro) where he built a bark shelter. In 1848 he was granted a licence to take up Talbingo Station. There were no roads and he came down Talbingo Mountain by bullock dray - the first vehicle to come that way and caused much excitement at the time.

The Bridle descendents maintained their love of the area with many of them remaining in the district.

The photograph below shows the remaining family of James and Clara Bridle (great grandson of William) taken in 1986. Left to right:

Rolfe (born 1915), Jaspa (born 1906), Kitty Prosser (born 1909), Clyde (born 1924), Trixie Clugston (born 1914), Jack (born 1912)

More Bridle history is available in "The Buddong Flows On," a family history published by the Buddong Society c/o Margaret Francis, 1 Poplar Road, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Also look at:Link: Trixie Clugston's Historical Collection

Klaus Hueneke's Link: People of the High Country also has plenty about the Bridles.
See:Tabletop Press.