He was born circa 1752. His father was Santiago Barrera, and his mother was Maria Salome Garcia. His father owned Mier 2 grant.
He married Maria Teresa Canales, daughter of Jose Antonio Canales and Ana Josefa de la Garza.
In 1782, he lived in Mier in household number 1. The church census recorded that he was single, español, and 29 years old. His household included 10 people:
Don Santiago Barrera, married, español, age 57.
Doña Maria Salome Garcia, married, española, age 43.
Jose Antonio Barrera, single, español, age 29.
Jose Ramon Barrera, single, español, age 19.
Maria Gertrudis Barrera, an unmarried girl, española, age 16.
Maria Juliana Barrera, an unmarried girl, española, age 24.
Maria Guadalupe Barrera, an unmarried girl, española, age 16.
Jose Angel Barrera, a youth, español, age 13.
Francisco Antonio Barrera, a child, español, age 11.
Ana Javiera Barrera, a child, española, age 3.