Sort and wash beans; place in a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven. Cover with water, and bring to a boil; boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and soak 1 hour. Add ham hock; cover and cook gently about 1 hour or until tender, adding more water if necessary. Saute onion in butter; add to beans. Brown ground beef, stirring to crumble; add remaining ingredients, and simmer 10 minutes. Add to beans. Spoon bean mixture into a 2-1/2 quart casserole. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until thickened. SOURCE: Southern Living Magazine, sometime in 1977. Typed for you by Nancy Coleman.