John A. Wadsworth was a physician who had an apothecary shop at 45 North Main Street, Providence, circa 1830. He also opened another shop located at 154 Benefit Street by 1838.

By 1846, Wadsworth had settled as an apothecary and chemist at a single location, 43-45 North Main Street at the sign of the Great Mortar. He was putting out his own medicines such as Dr. Wadsworth's Dry Up For The Catarrh, Dr. Wadsworth's Vegetable Croup Syrup which he had been putting out for over forty years, Dr. Wadsworth's Indian Worm Killer, and Dr. Wadsworth's Wild Cherry Blossom Dentrifice.

Dr. Wadsworth died in 1853. He was survived by a son, John A. Wadsworth, who became a physician and chemist and was located at 18 East Street also in Providence until he passed away circa 1867.