Hi Bennie,

I have not found any documentation showing that Tubman and Montgomery met before they both arrived in South Carolina. I do believe that Montgomery knew about Tubman, and vis-a-versa, from their mutual friend John Brown. Montgomery and Tubman had so much in common, and I can imagine that they hit it off right away. Both acted, while others talked and debated and positioned themselves. Frank Sanborn later wrote that both Tubman and Montgomery were censured by Higginson. Higginson apparently detested Montgomery, especially his slash and burn tactics. Tubman of course admired Montgomery for his fierceness and no-negotiation attitude. But she apparently performed her greatest service at his side, or ahead of him as it may be. Robert Gould Shaw also did not like Montgomery's tactics, though was still attracted to his courage and commanding nature. It is believed that Tubman served Shaw his last meal. She was there, so it makes sense.

I do hope Mr. Thurman can provide some sort of source material - like personal family slave inventories. There are other enslaved people I am trying to document that may have indeed been owned by his ancestors, and those documents would be extremely helpful to researchers and families trying to trace their roots.

By the way, I don't get what they say about the slave cabin on the Ross estate in Delaware as a stop on the URR. If someone runs away from a slave cabin, is it then considered a stop on the way North??

Best,

Kate