Ralph Petley, Sheriff of Kent

The Petley family's interest in Hartley was in the freehold of Hartley Wood Corner - then a 21 acre estate in Manor Lane. They acquired the estate through marriage - Thomas Petley had married Margaret Gifford, daughter of the then owner George Gifford. After George's death the 3 daughters partitioned his estate in 1707, Margaret and Thomas getting Hartley Wood Corner. The Petley family parted with the farm in about 1799

Source http://www.hartley-kent.org.uk/history/wills/petley.htm

PRO PROB 11/479 Will of Ralph Petley senior of Riverhead, esquire (1704)

He leaves his soul to God, body to be buried in Sevenoaks Church.

To poor of Sevenoaks: 40s

To sons John, Ralph; daughter Jane Fowler, son Thomas Petley's wife; kinswoman Mrs Elizabeth Leigh: £10 for mourning.

To eldest son Thomas: all personal estate, Thomas also made executor.

To son John: land at Addington, Meopham, Nonnington.

To son Ralph: land at Kingsdowne, for life and then to Ralph, son of his son Thomas

To son Thomas: other lands in Kent and Surrey

Dated 28 April 3 Anne 1704 Proved at London 8 September 1704

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Main source(s): 'HTSK' above/below is short for 'The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent', produced by Edward Hasted in the late 1790s. It is available at BHO.
(1) For upper section : HTSK (vol 2, 'Parishes: Downe'), Visitation (Kent, 1619, Petley), CountyGen (Kent, Berry, p232+) with input/support as reported above (2) For lower section : BLG1886 (Petley of Riverhead) with support from CountyGen (Kent, Berry, p233 & p388)