Hi Nigel, no they did not have any children prior to Thurza, this is their marriage I believe:-
James Edwards to Rebecca Luer June 1856 Lexden 4a 359 (Lexden covers East and West Mersea)
1851 Census
John Edwards 66 occ Thatcher b Lavenham Suffolk
Dinah 63 b East Mersea
James 32 Unmarried occ Thatcher b West Mersea
Martha 30 occ Seamstress b West Mersea
Residing at Bocking Hall, West Mersea
Census Ref HO107/1782/233/12
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