Soak beans overnight with enough water to cover them. Drain the water. Use one tbs of butter to saute onion and ham until onion is translucent. Add beans to pot and enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil and cook for an hour at a boil. Add remaining butter and ingredients and simmer for 1.5 hours or until beans are soft. Keep water level above beans. Remove bay leaf before serving and serve over rice.