[citation needed] He came to Alta California with the Gaspar de Portolà expedition of 1769.
Jose Manuel Perez-Nieto was first mentioned as a soldier of the Presidio of Monterey, in 1773.
[citation needed] Presidio soldiers were permitted to raise cattle for food and make a small profit.
[citation needed] A small community called Los Nietos gradually built up around the Nietos adobe home, which was near the Indian village of Sejat on the San Jose Creek.
Today, the area of West Whittier-Los Nietos, California is located near the original rancho home site.