In the past SSE has had listings for a Lima bean called Worchester Indian Red Pole: "Deep reddish purple or maroon bean; about the midway size between Fordhook Baby Lima and the large varieties., Reputed to come from Virginia but previous origin uncertain; a few Native American tribes had lima bean varieties ultimately obtained via Mexico."

Nothing under Wochester.

Thank you drloyd. I found those in several seed catalogs, as well as on dave's, but they're a lima. According to their description they have a lima shaped pod with 2 beans per pod. Mine have a long round colorful pod with 6 or more round beans in them. But thank you for trying. Next year I'll get some photos of them, maybe that will help me identify them. Thanks again.

Perhaps one of us will recognize them under another name. Dick

I would guess they are a type of October bean, you can do a search for Oct bean and find lots of info. They are used in the fresh shelly stage or dry stage and are usually planted in July for Oct harvest. These beans will grow well in heat but only produce in cool nights which is why they are grown for a fall crop and called Oct beans. Don't confuse these with Fall beans which are a different shaped bean. Most oct beans look like cranberry beans or pinto beans. Hope this helps Rodger
PS by chance were you in Mineral Va. a couple of weeks ago for the SSE regional meet.?

The only Worcester bean I am familiar with has a light yellow kidney shaped bean with no markings, bush plant with small runners.

Your bean sounds like so many horticultural beans that were grown by various Native American groups, many referred to as October beans, used as a fresh shell or dry bean. Such as Mohawk Bush, Six Nations, Speckled Algonquin, Seneca Stripe, etc.

They are all great soup beans, enjoy them.

Tony