Historical Marker
Durham Avant
Historical marker location:
Tool, Texas
( Tool Cemetery, chruch Rd. (CR 2436) off SH 274)
Marker installed: 1984
(1798-1862) A native of North Carolina, Durham Avant came to Texas in 1834 with his wife, Susan (Winsett), and after a time they settled in present day Henderson County. Avant served as a Texas Ranger and in 1850 helped survey and determine a central location for the Henderson County Seat. He later opened a hotel in the new county seat of Athens. His death came shortly after he enlisted in the Confederate army with his son William.