The folders within Series 1: Benjamin van Doren Hedges '1888, 1866-1931 are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series 1: Benjamin van Doren Hedges '1888, 1866-1931 contains correspondence from throughout Dr. Hedges' life, as well as written works related to his professional life. Alongside these items are various printed materials, including items related to early automobile regulations, information about Hedges' travel itineraries, and documents concerning Hedges' involvement in organizing Plainfield's World War I efforts. Other materials include educational pamphlets and documents related to Hedges' finances.

Benjamin van Doren Hedges '1888 (May 19, 1866 - December 2, 1930) was a prominent New Jersey physician. Hedges, son of Smith E. Hedges (b. 1820) and Ann E. van Doren (b. December 16, 1820), attended the Chester Institute before entering the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). There, he became managing editor of the Nassau Literary Magazine, belonged to Clio Hall, and was chosen to be a Washington's Birthday Orator.

After graduating in 1888, he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons (now part of Columbia University) in New York, graduating in 1891. After working briefly at New York's Presbyterian Hospital, he joined his brother Ellis Walton Hedges (Princeton '1880) in family practice in Plainfield, and also worked as attending surgeon at Muhlenberg Hospital.

Benjamin van Doren Hedges was active both professionally and in his community, serving as secretary of the Plainfield Board of Health, then Board of Health president beginning in 1906, and as President of the New Jersey State Sanitary Association. Hedges belonged to a variety of other community and professional organizations including the Union County Medical Society, NJ State Medical Society, NJ State Pediatric Association, Plainfield Board of Education, and the Crescent Ave Presbyterian Church. Hedges was also involved in Princeton alumni organizations, serving as a member of the Graduate Council from 1910-1914, and as a representative of his class from 1914-1923.

Benjamin van Doren Hedges married Adele Cutts Williams in Chicago on June 5, 1906, and had three children: Benjamin van Doren Hedges Jr. (b. June 8, 1907), Robert William Hedges (b. July 30, 1908), and John C. Hedges (b. March 27, 1910).

6 boxes

The folders within Series 2: Benjamin van Doren Hedges '30, 1920-1935 are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series 2: Benjamin van Doren Hedges '30, 1920-1935 contains correspondence, printed materials, a scrapbook, financial documents, and lecture notes from Hedges' activities at Loomis, Princeton, and at Bankers Trust.

Benjamin van Doren Hedges Jr. (June 8, 1907 - December 31, 1969) was the eldest son of Benjamin van Doren Hedges '1888. Born in Plainfield, NJ, he attended Plainfield Grammar School and then the Loomis School (now Loomis Chafee) in Windsor, Connecticut. At Loomis, he set records in track and participated in the school's musical clubs.

Upon entering Princeton University in 1926, Hedges majored in Pre-Med and participated in many campus activities, serving as President of the Class of 1930, winning the Junior Orator Prize, and belonging to Clio Hall and the Cap and Gown Club. Benjamin Hedges was also active in both music and athletics, serving as President of the Musical Clubs, singing in Glee Club, and penning the lyrics for the production that opened McCarter Theatre, The Golden Dog. Hedges' athletic accomplishments were even more notable. He captained Princeton's track team, won Second Place in the Eastern Intercollegiate Diving Championship, and while still a student, participated in the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, winning the silver medal in the high jump.

After graduation, Hedges joined the Banker's Trust Company, serving as personnel administrator from 1930 to 1947. This employment was interrupted by World War II, during which Hedges served in Navy Intelligence aboard carriers in the Pacific, winning 13 Battle Stars and two Presidential Unit Citations. After the war, he left Banker's Trust to become National Director and Executive Vice President of the National Big Brother Movement. Hedges married Alice Marian Hecht in 1947, and had two children: Benjamin van Doren Hedges III and Ann van Doren Hedges.

8 boxes

The folders within Series 3: Robert Hedges '31, 1908-1938 are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series 3: Robert Hedges '31, 1908-1938 contains materials related to Robert Hedges' life at Loomis and Princeton, including correspondence, lecture notes, financial documents, and printed materials. Items of note include those concerning Hedges' activities at Princeton in theatre and music clubs, ticket stubs to campus events, and printed information about the Class of 1931.

Robert William Hedges '31 (July 30, 1908 - November 16, 1950) was a New York-based physician. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, he attended Plainfield Grammar School and the Loomis School (now Loomis Chafee) in Windsor, Connecticut. At Loomis, Hedges was in student council, played football, ran track, and managed the basketball team. After graduating from Loomis, Robert Hedges attended Princeton University, where he participated in track and water polo, and became involved in several musical and theatre groups. These groups included the Glee Club, Theatre Intime, and Triangle Club, for which he wrote the music for McCarter Theater's first show The Golden Dog.

After Princeton, Hedges attended Cornell University Medical College, receiving his MD in 1935. He interned at Roosevelt Hospital from 1935-37, had a residency in Massachusetts, then returned to New York City and entered private practice. Hedges served as an army surgeon with the 9th Evacuation Hospital during WWII. When the war ended, he returned to New York, becoming attending staff at Woman's Hospital, Roosevelt Hospital, New York Hospital, and an instructor at Cornell University Medical College.

8 boxes

The folders within Series 4: John Hedges h30, 1924-1930 are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series 4: John Hedges h30, 1924-1930 contains John Hedges' school artwork, correspondence, and lecture notes related to music. Also included is the "Cradle Roll," a membership document for a children's society.

John Cutts Hedges h30 (March 27, 1910 - June 19, 1994) was the youngest child of Benjamin van Doren Hedges and Adele Hedges. Like his brothers, Benjamin and Robert, John Hedges was born in Plainfield, NJ and attended the Loomis School (now Loomis Chafee) in Windsor, Connecticut. After the death of his brother, Benjamin van Doren Hedges '30, John Hedges was inducted as an honorary member of the Princeton Class of 1930. During his career, John Hedges was the vice president of Panama Agencies.

1 box

The folders within Series 5: Other Family Members, 1797-1930 are organized by family member and arranged in chronological order.

Series 5: Other Family Members, 1797-1930 contains records from other members of the Hedges family members including Joseph Hedges, Smith Hedges (d. 1877), Anne E. Hedges (d. 1923), and Adele Hedge (b. 1876). The majority of items are legal documents such as wills, patents, and land records.

1 box

The folders within Series 6: Multiple and Unidentified Individuals, 1865-1938 are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series 6: Multiple and Unidentified Individuals, 1865-1938 contains printed matter, newspaper clippings, lecture notes, advertisements, post cards, and correspondence, from individuals who were not distinctly identified. Correspondence addressed to multiple Hedges brothers is also included. Other items include returned blanks from a survey about the order of the 10 commandments, manuscript and typescript essays and fiction stories, and copies of publications including the Daily Princetonian, Loomis Log, and Princeton Alumni Weekly.

6 boxes

The folders within Series 7: Photographs, 1928-1935 and undated are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series 7: Photographs, 1928-1935 and undated includes images of Hedges family members, class photographs, a photograph scrapbook, landscape photos, and other items.

3 boxes