Robinson acquired significant landholdings (farmed using enslaved and indentured labor) and held several public offices in Colonial Virginia, including two terms as one of the representatives of Middlesex County in the House of Burgesses and nearly three decades on the Governor's Council (rising to become its President).
He may be best known either for the final weeks of his life, when he was acting Governor of Virginia, or as the father of John Robinson Jr., who served as Speaker of the House of Burgesses and as the colony's Treasurer for more than three decades.
During their childhood, their father grew in political power in Virginia (eventually becoming the colony's secretary) as well built a manor house which this man would inherit, and which survives today, Hewick Plantation, near modern Urbanna.
By 1694 there were only 528 li in accounts receivable and personal property remaining, but Churchill assumed their father's merchant connection with Jeffreys of London and managed the boys' lands til they came of age in 1701 and 1703.
He also represented Middlesex County (part time) in the House of Burgesses alongside his elder brother Christopher Robinson.