Lt. John Buttolph was born on 28 February 1639/40 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, His birth was recorded as 28 December 1639. He was christened on 29 February 1640 in First Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. He was the son of Thomas Buttolph and Anne Harding.

On 16 October 1663 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, John married Hannah Gardner, the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Orne) Gardner. Hannah was born 5 December 1644 in Salem and died 6 June 1681 in Wethersfield, Connecticut.

On 27 June 1682 in Wethersfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, John married Abigail Mason, who died 5 June 1687 aged about 27 years in Wethersfield.

Before 14 October 1687 John married Susannah Clark, the daugher of James Clark of New Haven, and the widow of James Kelly and Nathaniel Sanford.

He left a will on 13 January 1692/93.5 He died on Wednesday, 14 January 1692/93 in Wethersfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, at age 52 years, 10 months and 17 days.