David Drake was first enslaved by Harvey Drake. Harvey Drake owned a large pottery business with his business partner Abner Landrum. Drake is believed to have been born to one of eight slaves that Landrum had brought to Edgefield from North Carolina. This pottery business and the area, within which David Drake worked is known as Pottersville. Landrum was the publisher of a local newspaper called "The Edgefield Hive". It is unclear how Drake learned to read and write. Scholars speculate he was taught by Landrum, who was known to be a religious man and may have taught Drake how to read the Bible. During this time period it was PUNISHABLE for enslaved people to be literate, especially in South Carolina. Most southern states in the early 1800s restricted black literacy, and in 1830s legislation was passed laws prohibiting their education. South Carolina's Negro Act of 1740, prohibited teaching enslaved Africans to read and write, punishable by a fine of 100 pounds and six months in prison. Another unclear detail about Drake's life is his missing leg. At an unknown point in his life, one of Drake's legs were amputated, and it is speculated that Drake lost his leg after his owner severely beat Drake for inscribing his works.