YA stand alone novel I read in the early 1980s. It is set in revolutionary America and is about a girl who falls in love with her pastor. Her family kills him for being pro king

[Vivian]

I remember a few other details, she tells the Reverend (Episcopalian I believe) that she loves him and he tells she must not blasphemy. Her gravestone has "Howe is my name before God" engraved. The twist in the story was that they got married before he came to take her from her house. Which was what the headstone meant.

[Rainbowheart]

Are you sure this is YA and not adult romance?

Undecided Heart sounds close, except that he doesn't appear to be a minister.

[Vivian]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Are you sure this is YA and not adult romance?

Undecided Heart sounds close, except that he doesn't appear to be a minister."

Undecided Heart is not the book, UH is much more sophisticated. This had a darkish cover. I checked it out at the library and it was in the YA/children's section. The man's name I remember was Rev Howe. She was from a wealthy family but not fashionable, if you know what I mean. It's why I liked her so much. I think her family were the patriots and I don't think there was even one kiss in the book.

[Rainbowheart]

Does anything on this list look familiar?

The American Revolution in YA & Middle Grade Fiction

[Vivian]

Thank you for the link, I found some interesting books there. Unfortunately my book wasn't there. I wish I could remember more about it.

[Vivian]

I think there was a monument involved? Like it started out in the present and then went into the past. If that makes any sense.

[Rainbowheart]

Do you think it was time travel?

Or was it the MC reminiscing on her earlier life?

[Vivian]

I think it may have been time travel, but there was no interaction between the present and the past. I know it wasn't the MC reminiscing because she died before the monument. She ended up marrying a farmer and having a very hard life, doing her own plowing and the like. She wanted her stone to have "How's my name before God" because she married the Rev Howe and the family misunderstood her last wishes and were confused because she had a blameless reputation. I am beginning to remember more about the book.

[Rainbowheart]

The Sherwood Ring?

[Vivian]

Rainbowheart wrote: "The Sherwood Ring?"

I am ordering it to see. It could be interconnecting stories that I only remember the one. Wish me luck! Thank you for posting it.

[Rainbowheart]

You're welcome, fingers crossed!

[Vivian]

It was not the book, sadly. Sherwood Ring was a good read though!

[Rainbowheart]

No worries, I'll keep looking!

Did you definitely read this before 1985?