Served many offices during the American Revolution, including member of the Committee of Safety for Orange County, Colonel of Militia, Paymaster to the troops, Justice of the Peace, Commissary General of Military Stores and Clothing, Commissioner to establish and superintend a manufactory of arms.. Marries late, at 36 in 1778. Fathers 12 children. Moved to Hagerstown MD in 1783, where he served in the state legislature, was twice Postmaster, and County Court Judge, Sheriff, and in 1808 Presidential Elector. He was founder and the first President of the Hagerstown Bank.
Seeking a location with more possibilities than a settled country he began a search for new home. Hearing reports of the Genesee Valley he travels there on horseback in 1800 with his friends and bank partners, Carroll and Fitzhugh, buying 200 acres at Dansville at $2.00 per acre. In 1803 the friends purchase the 100 acre tract for $17.50 per acre. The 14 foot upper falls or rapids was seen as having the most immediate use for power. The potential of the 100 foot upper falls was not recognized, or usable by the early settlers.
Rochester did not return the area until 1809, when he traveled the 275 mile journey from Hagerstown to Dansville with his family and household. A driver was thrown from his wagon and killed while crossing the mountains, the only incident on the three week journey.
Col. Rochester surveyed the plot and laid out streets and lots himself. Sale of the very low priced lots began in 1811.
After living in Dansville for five years and Bloomfield for three years, the family finally moves to Rochesterville in 1818. His public service continued in his new homes as a director of the Utica Branch Bank of Canandaigua, and in 1816 he was again a Presidential Elector. He was instrumental in the creation of Monroe County, then serving as County Clerk,  and was elected to the Assembly in 1822. In 1824 he organized and was the first President of the Bank of Rochester. He died quietly of an unknown disease, after months of intense suffering on May 17, 1831.