He was born circa 1771. His father was Santiago Barrera, and his mother was Maria Salome Garcia. His father owned Mier 2 grant.
He married Ana Maria Ramirez Vela, daughter of Jose Antonio Ramirez and Catarina Vela on 20 May 1797 in Mier. He was 26 years old, and the bride was 30 years old. Her father owned Mier 67 grant, Starr County.
In 1782, he lived in Mier in household number 1. The church census recorded that he was a child, español, and 11 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.
In 1791, he lived in Mier in household number 3. The church census recorded that he was single, español, and 18 years old. His household included 9 people:
Dn Santiago Barrera, married, español, age 65.
Da Maria Salome Garcia, married, española, age 52.
Jose Ramon Barrera, single, español, age 28.
Jose Angel Barrera, single, español, age 22.
Francisco Antonio Barrera, single, español, age 18.
Maria Juliana Barrera, a widow, española, age 32.
Alejo Flores, a young child, español, age 5.
Jose de los Santos Flores, a young child, español, age 4.
Maria Nicolasa Flores, a young child, española, age 3.