His career included: Congressman; Chargé d'affaires to Portugal; and Governor of New Mexico Territory.

[1] From August 17, 1857 to May 24, 1861 Rencher served as Governor of New Mexico Territory, appointed by President Buchanan.

Rencher had previously declined Buchanan's suggestion to become Secretary of the Navy, lobbying instead for the Governor position.

However, at the beginning of the Civil War Rencher remained loyal to the Union and raised regiments to defend the territory.

He died in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on July 6, 1883, and was interred at St. Bartholomew's Protestant Episcopal Churchyard in Pittsboro.