Thomas Stibbert left Norfolk for Italy. He lived in Rome, then in Florence, where he met his future wife, Giulia Cafaggi. Their son Frederick was born in 1838 in Florence. He was educated in Cambridge but he didn't like the severe regime there. Althought his family had a strong military tradition, Frederick only served in the Trentino campaign in 1866. In 1859, on maturity, he received his inheritance. He invested it wisely with commitment and diligence. Being an enthusiastic collector he trasformed his Villa in Montughi anf fulfilled his dreams with his own museum.