Jose Manuel Barrera was born circa 1774, the son of Jose Gregorio Barrera and Maria Juliana Benavides.
In 1782, he lived at Rancho (Barrera). The church census recorded that he was a child, español, and 8 years old. His household included 5 people:
Jose Gregorio Barrera, español, married, age 33.
Maria Juliana Benavides, española, married, age 29.
Maria Josefa Barrera, española, an unmarried girl, age 15.
Jose Manuel Barrera, español, a child, age 8.
Jose Maximo Barrera, español, a young child, age 4.