Welcome to BrendaLeeFree. Episode 1.

I would like to introduce you to my 3rd great-grandfather John Smeltzer, and his brother, Jacob Smeltzer of York County. They are an unfortunate part of Susquehanna River history called "The Shad Wars" at a pivotal time in our nation - the Civil War.

This is Part 1 of the stories of my ancestry, detailed by the newspaper clippings of the era, colored in with details of life in this region. Thank you for joining me.