Based on a census (a survey of the number of inhabitants in each residence, with details of ages and other living conditions, whether "captives" or "freedmen") in the Vila of São José (present-day Tiradentes, Minas Gerais, Brazil), conducted in 1795, we know that Manuel Dias de Oliveira was then 60 years old – which leads us to believe that he was born between 1734 and 1735. His birthplace and family, however, remain unknown. It is only known that from the 1760s until his death in 1813, he resided in the village of São José (today Tiradentes), having served as captain of an infantry regiment (ordinance or auxiliary foot troop) of freed mulatto men in the Arraial da Laje (today Resende Costa), as well as calligrapher and composer for the main brotherhoods in the Comarca do Rio das Mortes, among them, not only in the village of São José, but also in the village of São João d’El Rey (then the head of the Comarca) and Arraial de Nossa Senhora da Piedade da Borda do Campo (today Barbacena), in addition to other…