He was born circa 1786. His father was Santiago Chapa, and his mother was Juana Hinojosa. In 1791, he lived in Mier in household number 14. The church census recorded that he was a young child, español, and 5 years old. His household included 6 people.
He married Francisca Garcia Izaguirre, daughter of Jose Maria Garcia Salinas and Maria Lucia Izaguirre on 22 Nov 1814. He was 28 years old.