Have found the following references which might be your James
Manchester Times and Gazette April 10 1846
OLDHAM
The Surveyors of Chadderton - On Wednesday evening a poll for the election of Surveyor of Highways for the Denton Lane Division, Chadderton, terminated by a majority of fifteen in favour of Mr Thomas Simpson, of Brownhill, farmer. The other candidate was Mr James Whitehead, of Hillock, beerseller
Manchester Times May 2nd 1857
There is a report of a Court case involving a burglary in Hyde and includes
"It seems the prisoner had left the watch as security, or borrowed 4s on it, from Mr James Whitehead, beerseller, Portland Place, Ashton......."
Haven't found James linked to a pub
regards