All the
noble families of Florence practised some trade, in order that they might
share in the Government. Giovan Simone, another brother, born in 1479, led
a vagabond life until he joined Buonarroto in a cloth business that was
bought for them by Michael Angelo. Sigismondo, born in 1481, was a
soldier. At the age of forty he settled down on the small paternal farm at
Settignano, and became a mere peasant, very much to the annoyance and
chagrin of his famous brother, Michael Angelo, who spent his earnings for
the advantage of his brothers, and the advancement of his family, with a
kindness and generosity as beautiful as it is rare. Francesca, the mother
of Michael Angelo and of the other sons of Lodovico Buonarroti, was
married to him in 1472. When she died is not known, but Lodovico married
his second wife Lucrezia in 1485. She died childless in 1497, and was
buried upon July 9 in the Church of Santa Croce.
In the year 1497 Buonarroto visited Rome, and informed Michael Angelo, the
only hope of the family, of their pecuniary troubles. Michael Angelo wrote
kindly to his father:
"DOMINO LODOVICO BUONARROTI, _in Florence_.
"In the name of God, the 19th day of August, 1497.
"DEAREST FATHER, &c.--Bonarroto arrived on Friday; as soon as I
knew of it I went to seek him at the inn, and he told me by word
of mouth how you are doing, and informed me that Consiglio, the
mercer, annoys you very much, and will not, by any means, come to
an agreement, and that he wishes to have you arrested.
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