He and his wife, Susannah Lee, had six children: Sarah, James, John, Eliza Jane, Eli, and William.

[4] Barlow was convicted of manslaughter in August 1827, for killing George Matlock with an ax on October 16, 1826.

Scores of people, including the victim's brother, pleaded for Barlow's pardon and quashing of his sentence since he did it to prevent harm to his wife and children.

[5] In the summer of 1850,[6] Barlow was appointed Justice of the Peace for Clackamas County (which was much larger then) by acting Governor Kintzing Prichette.

[7] On September 17, 1850, Barlow purchased the donation land claim of Thomas McKay, which he later sold to his son William.