Robert Rochester was born at Terling, Essex, the third son of John Rochester and Grisold Writtle, daughter of Walter Writtle of Bobbingworth.
The latter is a mixture of old properties and newer buildings, including the house converted from a windmill which was featured in the film Oh, Mr Porter!.
During this visit to England he married in Terling, Essex, Mary Moseley who came back to New England with him in 1633, and who was admitted to the Boston church that summer.