What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

So since I'm having phenomenal luck all of a sudden on finding books, there is one more I yearn to read again. I read this around 1978 to 1983, I suspect.

The book is set in the early years of the American Revolution, the male lead, named Sam, was at Morristown. The story involves a young girl, probably mid teens, but unmarried, and her efforts to keep the farm running and keep the herd of younger siblings fed and alive. I don't recall anything about a mother but I believe her father went off to fight. I know the boys at the neighboring farm joined up. The oldest boy there, Sam, is "sweet" on the heroine, though I think she was crushing on someone else at first.
I seem to recall there might have been a Tory cousin living there and she managed to divert British soldiers from razing the farm, though I might have two books conflated, I read a lot about the Revolution.

I think the title might be something about closing a garden gate, because I remember the last line of the blurb being something to the effect that sometimes X wished she could just close the garden gate on the world.

Thanks!!

Just a guess - Cecilia's Harvest: A Novel of the Revolution by Blonnie Bunn Wyche?

No, I read this back around 1980. And the heroine is unmarried.

Do these bumps look dangerous?

Time Enough for Drums?

Nope, the girl in my book doesn't have a tutor. And she gets romantically involved with Sam, from a neighboring farm.

1988 is probably ten years too late for when I read it.

Spring is here.. time to get out and BUMP things!

I think this might be Norma Johnston's The Bridge Between. I own many of her books but don't seem to have this one; however, just found a review which I added to the book description. If you like this, I am sure you would like her other books too - some are historicals and some have a contemporary setting. Interlibrary loan should be able to find some for you.

Yes, I think it is!

I have ordered a copy from Abebooks and it should be here in 2 weeks or so.

Excellent! Johnston was inspired by the immortal Maud Hart Lovelace and dedicated her first book, The Wishing Star, to Maud. This one is one of her early books but if you liked this one, I think you would enjoy them all. A lot of her books are set in the NJ/NY/PA area where she grew up.

I suspect I have read some of them, the titles look familiar.

Kris, please let us know if this is your book (once you get it from good old Abe).

I always do : )

The book arrived today and it is DEFINETLY the one I wanted!! YES!

Thank you again CLM!

There is a strong current of religion and spirituality running through the book that I either never noticed or completely hopped over as a teen. Very puzzling...