Barbara Willard (1909-94) was a writer of historical children’s fiction. Among her best-known works are the ‘Mantlemass Chronicles’, including The Lark and the Laurel (1970). She wrote many other novels for children and several others for adults.
My 3rd cousin twice removed.

Family: Willard/ Goodale family
Links:

• Wikipedia
• Obituary: Independant Newspaper