“Look” your beans by pouring a small amount of beans into your hand removing and discarding any defective, broken or discolored beans. Be sure to look for small pebbles too.
Rinse beans in a colander.
Put into a crockpot and cover with 3-4 inches of water. Put one stick of butter in the crockpot.
If desired add bacon or ham bone to the crock pot. Cover with 3-4 inches of water. Cook on low for 11 hours. Salt to taste.
My MIL swears that if you put a peeled potato in the beans that it removes the gas. She says don't allow the potato to over cook so check on it and remove before it does and NEVER eat it. We always do this and it works for us!
Serve with cornbread.
Notes
My mother in law makes the best soup beans. This is her recipe. We enjoy them with corn bread. I like mine with fresh onion, ketchup and pickle relish. She always serves them with fried potatoes.