Place in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; cover with water and bring to
a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 1 hour.
Drain beans and discard liquid.
In the same kettle, place ham bone or hocks, 3 quarts of water and
beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 1 1/2 hours or
until meat easily falls from the bone.
Remove bones from broth, trim off the meat and discard bones.
Add ham, onion, celery, carrots, salt, pepper and thyme. Simmer,
covered, for 1 hour or until beans are tender.
Add tomatoes and brown sugar. Cook for 10 minutes.