Cynthia Ann Hannah Teel Godfrey was born in White River, Washington County, Arkansas. Her parents were Ebenezer Hannah (1808-1863) and Martha Jane (Hamilton) Hannah (1813 - 1896). Cynthia was one of 9 children and sixth in the birth order. Cynthia's grandmother and grandfather were Benjamin S. Hamilton and Susannah "Moonglow" Hurst. There is a book written about his couple. Benjamin was imprisoned by the Cherokee Indians in N. Carolina. Moonglow was assigned to bring food to Benjamin and his friend. Moonglow and Benjamin fell in love and Moonglow arranged the escape of Benjamin and his friend and she went with Benjamin. They were married and had 10 children and a life together in Moon, Kentucky. Moonglow decided to take the name Susannah and Moonglow became her middle name.

Cynthia moved to McDonald County, Missouri and married Peter Teel (1841--?). Peter was the son of Isaac M. Teel (1815-1871) and Emlerinda Whitley (? - 1849). Peter's parents were married 5/8/1834 in Coles Co., Illinois. Peter had two brothers John Teel (1835 - ?) and Eli Charles Teel (1844-1882).

Peter and Cynthia had two daughters, Martha Evaline Teel (1860-1872) and Mary Esther Teel (1864-1948). Peter Teel died in the Civil War and Cynthia received the Civil War Widow's Pension, this document is online. Cynthia remarried in 1869 to John Godfrey.

Cynthia Ann Hannah Teel married John Godfrey (1840-1905) in 1869 in MO. They had two daughters, Mattie Ann (1876-1949) and Maude (1888-?) Godfrey.

Cynthia's daughter Mary Esther Teel (1864-1951 age 87) married William Ritter (1856-1880) in Southwest City, McDonald County, Mo. 4/25/1875. William and Mary Esther had one son John Albert Ritter (12/20/1879 to 3/26/1935). William was killed in a work/farming/wagon accident in 1880, leaving his young wife and his son only a few months old.

Mary Ester Teel Ritter then wed William Frank Beard (1857-1925). Mary and Frank raised John A. Ritter and they went on to have 6 kids together: Robert (1888-1956), Earl (1891-1941), Ada (1896-1972), Frank (1893-1947), Goldie (1898-1967), and Ott (1898-1967).

In 1893, Frank, Mary, John Ritter, Robert, and Earl participated in the Cherokee Strip. Frank & Mary claimed land and John Albert age (14/15) claimed land also near Bryon, Oklahoma. This is very near Ware Cemetery/Alfalfa County where Frank, Mary, John Ritter and his family, Earl, Frank (Jr.), and Goldie (Beard) Merrymen are buried.

Cynthia Ann Hannah Teel Godfrey moved to Oklahoma. Her daughter Mary Teel Ritter Beard and family were in Oklahoma, also moving to Oklahoma were her daughters Mattie and Maude Godfrey. Cynthia Ann was laid to rest in Carmen, Oklahoma.

Note: Cynthia's parents lived in White River, Washington Co., Arkansas. This is where Cynthia was raised and also was the home of John and Nancy (Moore) Ritter and their 12 children, one of which was William Ritter who grew up to marry Cynthia and Peter Teel's daughter Mary Esther Teel Ritter Beard.

There was not a family link for CHILD, so Click on Mary E. Beard to go to Cynthia's daughter and family at Ware Cemetery.