Soak beans overnight in 6 cups water in large saucepan. Add remaining ingredients except tomatoes. Simmer for 2 1/2 hours or until beans are very tender. Remove ham bone. Cut ham from bone and add to soup. Mash beans. Stir in tomatoes. Simmer until hot.
I love bean soup too. So cheap & filling. I add more vegetables - whatever I have on hand: squash, green beans, mushrooms, etc. I also like Italian spices in it ( a mix of oregano, basil, parsley, rosemary), and I like hot peppers in mine, or hot sauce.